Advice please

[WorriedSick]

Hello guys, I found your site after searching for holistic treatments for Cushing's disease. I've read a few of the posts and shed lots of tears.
Has anyone tried Melatonin? If so, is it the very same one used for humans?

[WorriedSick]

Hello guys, I found this forum searching for holistic treatments for dogs with Cushing's. Has anyone tried Melatonin and if so is it the same kind and strength used for humans? How about the supplements used for this diet I found on the forum. Can I use supplements for humans too?
Thanks for your knowledge and time!
Pork loin boiled 4 oz.
Sweet potato, cooked 1/2 cup
White potato, cooked 1 1/2 cup
Canola oil 2 tsp or fish oil 2 capsules
Kelp tablet (containing 150 mcg iodine per tablet or just use 150 mcg iodine tablets)
3/4 tsp of Animals Essential Seaweed Calcium supplement (powder) Canine Geriatrics Basics (1) capsule made by Thorne Research
Zinc 50 mg one (1) tablet.

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi,

Yes, melatonin is used in combination with lignans from either flax or spruce to treat a specific form of Cushing's called Atypical in which the cortisol is normal but other hormones are elevated. If you pup doesn't have Atypical, the combination won't help. Melatonin alone won't help either.

If you could tell us about your baby, that would help us give you more meaningful feedback. The most important thing I can tell you right now is that Cushing's is not a death sentence. Most pups live out their normal lifespan and beyond and when these pups do pass, it is usually from something unrelated to Cushing's. :)

I'm glad you found us and want you to also know that you and your baby will not be alone for one single step. We are here anytime - all you need to do is holler!

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[molly muffin]

Well hello and welcome to the forum. :)

We all come here with tears in our eyes and running down the cheeks. They dry up as soon as a bit of knowledge about cushings is gained. It isn't a death sentence is the first thing you should know. Many, many dogs can and have been treated successfully for many years even.

Melatonin, as used for humans is prescribed along with lignans for Atypical cushings, which is a type of cushings in which the intermediate hormones are raised but the cortisol levels are normal. As far as just lowering cortisol, melatonin won't do enough to bring down levels to where they need to be to reduce symptoms in regular cushings.

Can you tell us a little bit about your furbaby? What breed, how much weight?

What sort of symptoms and how did you arrive at the diagnosis?
Do you have copies of blood work and cushings tests results such as ACTH, LDDS?

If so could you post the abnormal high/low results along with unit and range (example ALT 135ug (50 - 80) )
and full results of cushings tests ACTH example base or pre or 0 hour 15, post 24
(LDDS would have 3 results, pre/base, 4 hour, 8 hour resutls)

That would be really helpful for us to give you feed back about your specific case.
That should get you started.

Now dry the tears, we are moving into teaching/lesson phase, where you can learn anything and everything about Cushings Disease.

Another way to get started is reading in our Resource section:
http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=10

Welcome to the forum
Sharlene and Molly muffin

[Squirt's Mom]

If your pup is doing ok on the feed they are eating now, I wouldn't change anything just yet. Changing the diet can sometimes confuse the picture so it's best to leave it alone at the beginning of the cush journey UNLESS there is a medical reason, like diabetes, allergies, etc., to change it right now.

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to our family! Glad you found us and we will help in anyway we can.

Melatonin along with lignans are usually the treatment for Atypical Cushing's. Atypical Cushing's is when there is an elevation in one or more of the sex hormones but NOT the cortisol.

Conventional Cushing's is when a dog has excessive amounts of cortisol running though their system.

Information regarding Atypical can be found here: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia-like syndrome/ Hyperestrinism/ "atypical Cushing's" (http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198)

Do you have a dog that was diagnosed with Cushing's? If so,could you tell us more about your furbaby? Any and all information about your dog we are interested in so don't spare any details, ok? ;)

Hugs, Lori

[goldengirl88]

Hello:
Welcome to the forum. I am sorry for the troubles your baby is having. Everyone has just about covered all the questions so I will not add any. It is helpful to keep a daily doggy diary to refer back to when needed. I do have one question however, how long have you been feeding your dog pork?? The vet told me it is the absolute worst thing you can feed a dog, so that is why I am asking. I would not play around with the diet right now though as Leslie said. Hope all goes well. Blessings
Patti

[LtlBtyRam]

Welcome to our forums. The folks around here are PAWSOME! I look forward to hearing more about your fur baby.
Angela

[Concernedmom]

Hi
That pork loin recipe is just one of the recipes I use for my dog. It was given to me from my homeopathic vet who is treating my dog with holistically remedies for cushings. This is a heart healthy recipe.
What I feed for my dog may not be something that will agree with your dog. But yes the zinc and kelp are also used in humans and you can buy them anywhere. The fish oil capsules are also in the vitamin aisle. The seaweed calcium and geriatric basic I buy on line as they are canine supplements.
Has your dog been diagnosed with cushings? If so a diet change alone isn't going to reduce cortisol levels or help with clinical symptoms your dog may have. The people on this forum have a great deal of knowledge with cushings. If you need anymore help we're all here for you.