More natural diet for suspected cushings canine?

[jkv148]

Hi!
I have a 12 soon to be 13 year old female miniature schnauzer. She was recently taken to the vet and said that she may have cushings disease. I want to explore my options as far as diet goes to see if I can help the problem with a more natural diet.

Some history on Lili is that she has had calcium oxalate bladder stones. Feb of 2010 she had three stones removed and was put on Hills U/d. She remains on this diet now but knowing that she has the signs of cushings (minus hair loss and increased appetite) and my improved knowledge on nutrition and food I would like to try to find specifics on a natural brand of store bought dog food and things that I could incorporate to help improve her health. Seeing as though I do not have the time or knowledge to go to a 100% raw diet, and the fact that she is older I do not want to take the risk of laking in a certain nutrition and jeopardizing her health even more. Also, she has a tendency these days to stand in one spot for long periods of time (5 minutes) and stare at the floor. Her back legs also shake most of the time, I took her to the vet for this and the gave her an x ray and said she had impeccable joints and they had no reasoning for this besides old age.

Some basics I have heard is a high protien, low fiber, low purine and low fat diet. Some things I have heard were using the Nutro senior chicken and whole grain rice dog food with extra chicken broth and adding low purine foods to it and even juicing more low purine fruits and vegetables.

I started giving her dandelion to help detoxify her liver and gallbladder and help her kidney function due to her history with her bladder stones.

I have also starting thinking about incorporating phosphatidylserine, since it is found in mostly organ meats and a low purine diet restricts her from these.

I have been researching magnolia bark as well to help with her cortisol and anti stress/anxiety, to maybe help with her hind legs shaking.

Please help and thank you!

[Cyn719]

Hi and welcome to the forum!:) Sorry for the reasons that you are here but you have come to the right place. The members here are very knowledge and always here for you. If you have any test results or anymore information could you please post it. More members will be by to give their expert advice and having test results if any will be very helpful. Thank you and hang in there:)

[marie adams]

Hello and welcome to K9 Cushings. As Cindy said the other members will be along to give advice and links you can go to for more information. Everyone here is great with advice and so caring--you are in the right hands. Please post any testing information you recently had done.

When I figured out my Maddie had Cushings I changed her diet to a no grain or beef diet. I used California Naturals Venison and I also started with a frozen raw chicken from Northwest Naturals--both I purchased at my pet supply store, but I think you can order the raw online if you cannot find it. I am not sure this works with Lili's bladder stone issues, but this is what I changed to. I added fish oil, vit c, and for her skin and fur--flaxseed oil. I am no expert, but little things I read (and you will read a lot) help me change over.

Maddie's first symptoms were the panting, shaking hind legs, and just slowing down physically. We moved on to the fur loss and in an Aussie it was hard to tell at first, but when you started looking it was major. The fur grows back so don't worry. The appetite we didn't pay attention too, but knew it was different than before.

Asks lots of question because you are not alone on this journey....:)

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you both!

My non-cush furbaby, Bear, produces oxalate stones too. I feed him a high quality protein, moderate fiber and fat dog food. When a dog has a confirmed diagnosis for Cushing's it is best to go low-fat because the excess cortisol makes them prone to pancreatitis.

My Bear takes potassium citrate for his stone formation, is your furbaby on this medication?

I was wondering if you could get copies of all the test/s that were done on your sweet girl and post any abnormalities here. Is your girl taking any other herbs/supplements/medicines? How much does your girl weigh?

Sorry for all the questions but the more information we know about your girl the better our feedback will be.

Here are some links that I hope are helpful: Oxalate Bladder Stones (Canine) (http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=662) and
Links to Cushings Websites (especially helpful for new members!) (http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=180)

Please know we will help in any way we can so do not hesitate to ask any and all questions.

Love and hugs,
Lori

[Skye]

hello!!!!!
i have learned that when you begin placing herbs and erbs and such in their diet you must be very very very careful, perhaps speak to a holistic doctor?
And .....seriously think of not being on hills u/d. That is so fatty it is horrid! the can food looks, and has texture of lard. i never have been so appalled by any food than the u/d
labs would be awesome as to further look into this and give ideas or suggestions,
i am thrilled to hear her joints look good....but that still didnt really answer the question or help her. Perhaps it is an effect from her cushings.
for the stones....seems that type of stone to help prevent is a lower protein diet, which means it might end up higher in carbs, not ideal, but you have to meet health needs and demands of your baby. Mine is on a lower protein and higher carb diet. I home cook, i cook once every 2-3 weeks. so easy. crock pot and one large pot. toss chicken in one and rice in the other, have all my containers lined up, got measuring stuff out, and boom done. in freezer, 3 days in fridge rest in freezer. I use Balance It supplement.
BUT every diet of course needs to meet the need of the babys health.
Hope to hear more from you!