Possible cushings in Papillion

[hazeleyez0302]

It is not definite that my pavilion has cushings but when she went in for blood work for a dental cleaning he mentioned she has high levels for liver enzymes. I don't know the values. He waited 2 weeks and took the blood test again and said it was still high but he did the dental cleaning and she was fine. A friend of mine told me if she has some of the signs, which she has some panting some times but not frequent but she is peeing in the house and it is very light in color. I am going to bring her in for the cushing testing soon but was recommended by someone who's dog has cushings to take her off the dog food kernels [i've bought Blue prime in the past] and has switched to The Honest Kitchen 'Force" Chicken recipe which is all natural and dehydrated as she needs the liquid more in her diet. You just add water to the amount you place in the bowl and wait till it hydrates. I also use 'Blue' cans of the homestyle recipe and give that to her along with the herbs:milk thistle, dandelion Root and Adrenal support all in very low dosages as per my Herbalist. Since changing to The Honest Kitchen she seems to be peeing more frequently than when she was on the kernels of 'Blue'. My Vet and I spoke and he said that is not necessary to go beyond the 'cushings test' as I will not give her steroids as she is only 11 lbs and will deal with it, as necessary. Just would like to know if the kernel dog food is okay versus the dehydrated one. Thank you
.

[mytil]

Hi and welcome to our site.

Regarding what to feed, in your case a possible Cushing's dog --- any good high quality low in fat food. It does not matter whether it needs to be hydrated or not; unless she is having dental problems.

Treating a small dog is possible so I am not sure what your vet is saying about no need to test anymore because you will not be able to treat anyway. Actually I think I would get a second opinion on this.

When you can post any test results here that have been performed so far.

Keep us posted
Terry

[labblab]

Welcome from me, too! I apologize in that I have only a moment to write, but I also am wondering about your decision not to treat your dog regardless of the test results. You mention not wanting to give her steroids, but additional steroids are the last thing you would give to a Cushpup since the disease is caused by excessive cortisol. The conventional treatment is medication aimed at decreasing excessive steroid levels rather than increasing them. If you would care to tell us more about her overall health history, we'll be happy to discuss treatment options with you in greater detail. That way, you can make an informed decision as to whether or not you'd want to proceed further. As Terry has written, a food change really will not improve her Cushing's, if that is what she suffers from.

Marianne

[molly muffin]

I'd just like to add that dandelion is also a dirutectic and not perhaps the best thing to give a dog with cushings, as it encourages more urination. I wonder if that is adrenal harmony or cushex you are giving (they are actually one and the same) but that has never made sense that they put dandilion in something they are marketing to pet owners with cushing dogs.

I have a small dog and she is being treated with trilostane for the past year, with omega 3 for kidney support, denamarin for liver support and a joint supplement and eye supplement.