Web Sites

[Sugar]

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/09/21/cushings-disease-caused-by-pet-stress.aspx

This is a site that I would like to share with you, Dr Becker has some interesting insight into early detection of Cushings Disease.

Homemade pet food recipes

http://www.panoramavet.com/site/view/198080_HomeMadePetFoodRecipes.pml

[labblab]

Dear Jean,

I think it is wonderful that you are returning to help other dogs and their parents by providing these educational links. There can be no more fitting tribute to your own baby than your gift of information and support to others in need!

I've read through Dr. Becker's article, and she has provided a lot of really helpful information in a very clear and organized manner. I think this is a great resource and am glad you have brought it to our attention. I do feel troubled, though, by her views on Cushing's treatment -- that for the most part, she does not use conventional medication to treat Cushing's and instead relies on nutriceuticals, herbs, diet and stress management to "reverse" pre-Cushing's in its earliest stages.

I am not a vet, of course. But over my years on the forum, I have witnessed many, many dogs who have been treated successfully with conventional medication. And unfortunately, I have witnessed virtually no dogs actually diagnosed with Cushing's who have been satisfactorily maintained longterm on alternative therapies alone (nutriceuticals, stress managment, etc.). So from my own experience, I applaud the majority of the info that Dr. Becker has presented. But I do not feel comfortable with the treatment recommendations. For the benefit of our newbies who are contemplating treatment, I just felt compelled to add these thoughts.

Marianne

[lulusmom]

I just wanted to chime in and validate everything Marianne has said. I've been following Dr. Becker for quite a while and have enjoyed her many videos. She has a way of explaining canine medical conditions in terms most of us can understand. I highly recommend that if Dr. Becker has a video regarding a condition any member is dealing with, be sure to check to see if Dr. Becker covers the subject in one of her videos.

The videos addressing cushing's and what Dr. Becker considers to be pre-cushing's, I think it's a wonderful source of information but like Marianne, there were some things that need some clarification. I posted a comment to the video but unfortunately, I'm extremely wordy and the characters are limited. I therefore didn't have a chance to present all of my comments and questions. Dr. Becker rarely responds to comments but I wanted to put the information out there. Here is what I posted, which is self explanatory:


Thank you, Dr. Becker, for these excellent videos. They are informative and easy for most people to understand. However, I'm rather disappointed to see that it has been over two years and the third and final (and most awaited) installment, covering atypical cushing's and treatment options, has yet to be released. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a dog that is well controlled on conventional treatment, who is curious to hear about alternative treatments that are as effective as Trilostane or Lysodren. I have two dogs with PDH, diagnosed 7 and 5 years ago, and both well controlled on Lysodren. While stim tests are expensive, as is the medicine, I would be very hesitant to switch them to any treatment that has not been tested for efficacy. They've enjoyed a great quality of life with no side effects. Granted most dogs are very senior at diagnosis and with the disease being so graded, conventional treatment may not be urgent; however, my dogs were younger than most at diagnosis and I'm not sure they would be here today had I not chosen to treat them with Lysodren.

As an administor on a canine cushing's forum, I have probably followed more case studies than most vets will see in their life time. It's been our experience on the forum that treatment is definitely not worse than the disease. Adverse reactions to Trilostane and Lysodren can be greatly reduced and most often eliminated if the vet is experienced with the disease and its treatments and the pet owner is a proactive participant in their dog's care. The serious reactions usually have a trail leading back to a vet who is not following proper treatment protocol.

Also, I want to mention that it appears that the profile of a dog you consider to be pre-cushing's syndrome is also a perfect profile of a dog with a functional adrenal tumor, which I do not believe can be reversed, short of surgery. No characters left. :(