ENDOCRINE

CUSHING'S DISEASE

Species affected: Dogs (primarily), Cats.
Background: Predisposing factors include a history of excess vaccination and/or drug therapy, especially with the long-term use of steroid drugs. Stress, obesity, old age, lack of exercise, pollution, and poor-quality diets are also likely to be causal or predisposing factors.
Symptoms: Signs in the dog include abdominal enlargement, symmetrical truncal alopecia, thin skin (especially on abdomen), PU/PD and occasionally diabetes. Cats may present some of the same signs as dogs.
Diagnostics: The diagnosis is not always straightforward and may require a combination of blood tests depending on which symptoms are present.
Special Notes: Treatment depends on which form is present: pituitary or primary adrenal. An incidental laboratory finding of Cushing's without overt symptoms should not be treated conventionally, but is an ideal candidate for natural treatments.
Principles for Supplementation: Supportive treatment like antioxidants and Ginkgo will not help indefinitely without additional therapy, but may improve an animal's status in the short-term.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS—CUSHING’S DISEASE