New member Sue

[Sue Thebean]

Just adopted a 7 year olsstandard poodle with atypical cushings. She’s a real sweet heart. When I adopted her the foster said she was fine with no meds but she is drinking approx 16 cups of water per day and needing to go out hourly. She has follow o testing Monday to recheck her levels. Will definitely consider meds as she is having accidents and had peed in her open crate. Has anyone used more natural alternative to drugs with success? I have a lot mor questions but will start with these. TIA

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Sue,

Welcome to you and your sweet girl! Could you do us a favor and post the results of all tests that were done on your girl, we need only see those levels that are marked abnormal with the references ranges and units of measurement...thanks! How much does your girl weigh? And can you tell us exactly what symptoms she is displaying (besides peeing/drinking)? Is she taking any other herbs/supplements/medications?

Spontaneous Cushing's is when a dog's body produces excessive amounts of cortisol. Atypical Cushing's is when one or more of the adrenal sex hormones are elevated but the cortisol is not. So, I'm not sure which form of Cushing's your girl has been diagnosed with. However if your girl does indeed have spontaneous Cushing's unfortunately I don't know of any truly effective holistic/alternate substitutes to the Rx medication when one wants to lower cortisol levels significantly. Having said that, if clinical symptoms are not that bothersome to the dog or owner, some members have told us that Cushex and Adrenal Harmony Gold worked very well in controlling symptoms but only for a short time period. Now, Cushex and Adrenal Harmony Gold have no controlled clinical testing whatsoever to back up their claims (we know this because we have contacted the manufacturers and we have been told that no testing has been done).

Now, for Atypical Cushing's, the treatment is lignans along with melatonin.

Looking forward to hearing more about your girl!

Lori