Canine Nutrition for Cushing's Disease
Cushing's disease is a condition that afflicts dogs over the age of 6 years. It occurs when there is an excess of cortisol produced by the dog's adrenal or pituitary glands. Cushing's disease can cause a number of symptoms that veterinarians recognize. Untreated Cushing's disease can shorten your dog's life. Along with appropriate medication, good nutrition can help to decrease symptoms, increase quality of life and extend the number of years your dog lives.
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What is Cushing's Disease?
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Cushing's disease occurs when the adrenal glands overproduce the amount of cortisol the body needs. This results in a pot-bellied appearance, increased water consumption, increased urination, panting, skin problems, hair changes and overall lethargy. Without appropriate treatment, it can lead to high blood pressure, congestive heart disease and diabetes in your pet. Cushing's disease is diagnosed by laboratory tests that measure cortisol production after injection of ACTH and dexamethasone. Tumors on the adrenal and pituitary glands can be seen on x-ray and CT tests.
Treatment of Cushing's Disease
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Three different medications are used to treat Cushing's disease. Lysodren (mitotane) is used to suppress the overproduction of the hormone. The drug is given weekly and must be closely monitored with blood tests. Anipryl (deprenyl) is also prescribed for Cushing's disease that originates in the pituitary gland. It reduces some of the symptoms of Cushing's and can be helpful in increasing the dog's activity level. Vetoryl is the most recent drug approved for use against Cushing's disease. These drugs help to correct the cause of Cushing's disease, but may have side effects like nausea, vomiting and lethargy. It is important that your dog receive a healthy diet to maintain its immune system.
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Nutritional Support for Cushing's Disease
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There is no specific commercial dog food that is recommended for dogs with Cushing's disease. Hill's i/d diet is sometimes recommended for this condition. Generally, a high protein diet for energy will help to combat the lethargic symptoms of the disease. The diet should also be low in fiber and low in purines, an organic base substance in DNA found in many foods. Water should not be restricted for dogs with Cushing's disease
Raw Foods Diet for Cushing's Disease
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Some veterinarians advise against any type of commercially prepared food and instead recommend a raw food diet for dogs with Cushing's disease. A raw food diet is high in animal protein and vegetables and can be adjusted to be low in carbohydrates to prevent Cushing's dogs from putting on excessive weight. Potassium-rich foods like beans, broccoli and potatoes are recommended. A number of raw food diets are available, but it is always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian about the best diet for your size and breed of dog.
Supplements for Cushing's Disease
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Vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium are suggested supplements for dogs that have Cushing's disease, as they are antioxidants known to be helpful in supporting the immune system of dogs. Consult with your vet before giving any additional supplements.
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References
- Photo Credit Black Dog image by Margie Peters from Fotolia.com
