Cushings and Diabetes

[Caseysmom]

Does anyone have any suggestions on what we can feed our dog with both Cushings and Diabetes? We just received the Cushings diagnosis today and it is all overwhelming. Casey has been insulin-dependent for 1.5 years and on Purina DCO food. While a diabetes diet is high in fiber, I am reading that a cushings diet should be low in fiber. Where is the happy medium without harming the dog any further?

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[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Mom and welcome to you and your baby! :)

Diet is much, much more critical for a diabetic pup than for a Cushing's pup so stick with what works best for the diabetes. The main things in a cush pup's diet to watch are fats - keep them low - and proteins - need to moderate.

Are you a member of k9diabetes? If not, please go register with them. They are our sister site and the experts in canine diabetes.

http://k9diabetes.com/forum

Can you tell us more about how the Cushing's diagnosis came about? What prompted the cushing's testing in the first place? What signs were you seeing that could NOT be attributed to the diabetes? What tests were done to arrive at the diagnosis? Was the diabetes fully controlled at the time of the testing for Cushing's? How old is your baby and how much does he/she weigh? Is he/she on any other meds, supplements or herbs - if so, what and what for?

If you would, please get copies of the actual test results from the Cushing's tests and post them here, including the units of measurement (ug/dl, Mnol/L, etc) and the normal ranges for each value. Please list all the info from tests such as the LDDS or ultrasound.

I'm glad you found us and look forward to learning more as time passes. We have several members dealing with both conditions and I am sure they will be along soon to share their experiences with you.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[Dollydog]

Hi....my Cushionoid/Diabetic dog has been gone for 3 years now but I remember giving her a combination of food....I tried to give her the highest quality of food that I could.....but always remember that the key is to give them something that you know they will ALWAYS eat. I was feeding her Science Diet at the time of the diabetes diagnosis(Cushings came a year earlier) and I slowly substituted a higher quality of food...but there was always some Science Diet/Hill's mixed in to keep her interested in eating.
You will find what works best for your dog....take care and wishing you all the best...
Jo-Ann

[Jenny & Judi in MN]

My Jenny has both. She has been on both the W/D High Fiber and the Purina OM. We treated her cushings with Lysodren which she responded to too well. She is now not on any Cushings medication because her cortisol is too low.

So, for us, we focused on the diabetes. We need the high fiber to try to keep her stable. Of course right now with her low cortisol she wants to eat yummy protein the heck with the fiber!

good luck! it is doable. Judi

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome. How stressful to have to deal not with one issue but two. You've come to a good place though as we have a few members here and over at the k9diabtes forum who are dealing with both also.
I'm not so I won't offer any advice that might be incorrect. I'll just give you a hug and encouragement, a shoulder to lean on when needed. Welcome to the family.

hugs,
Sharlene