Cushing's in Dogs Life Expectancy Can Depend on Multiple Factors
When you are told that your dog has Cushing’s Disease, it can be a devastating blow, especially when your vet tells you that your dog may not live as long as you had hoped.
The life expectancy of canines with Cushing’s is generally around 3 years. However, there are natural remedies out there that may help your dog to live a happy and full life.
Life Expectancy Can Depend on the Type and Size of the Tumor
Your pet’s prognosis and life expectancy may depend on multiple factors. If the dog’s tumor is small and benign, its condition and well-being might be manageable; the dog might go on to lead a good quality life and live a long time.
However, larger and malignant tumors, or tumors affecting the dog’s brain, are a whole different story. Dogs with these kinds of tumors usually have a poor medical prognosis and shorter life expectancy. Additionally, if left untreated, it can badly impact a dog’s quality of life and expectancy as well.
Most dogs with Cushing’s will eventually require treatment of some kind but can live comfortably for several years. The mean life expectancy for a dog with an appropriately treated adrenal tumor is 36 months; for a pituitary tumor, it is 30 months.
Additional Factors
Internal Diseases
Cushing's is an internal disorder that affects the endocrine system in dogs, and is caused by a hormonal imbalance. This condition can cause several symptoms, including an increase in thirst and urination, an increase in appetite, hair loss, enlarged abdomen, and a decrease in activity.
Cushing's can be treated with medication, but if left untreated, the disease can lead to serious health complications and a decrease in life expectancy. Dogs with Cushing's should be closely monitored by their veterinarian to ensure they receive the best treatment and care.
Elderly Dogs
Many elderly dogs are especially vulnerable to Cushing’s, which is a disorder caused by the excessive production of cortisol. This hormone can break down muscle and bone, and can cause a variety of other health issues. As dogs age, their organ systems become less efficient and less able to process hormones properly.
Cushing’s can cause them to become lethargic, gain weight, and have an increased thirst and appetite. Owners of elderly dogs should be on the lookout for signs of Cushing’s and consult with their veterinarian if they suspect their pet may be affected. Early diagnosis and treatment may be able to extend the life expectancy of an elderly dog with Cushing’s.
Symptoms of Cushing’s in Dogs
Cushing’s is a tumor in the pituitary gland that causes the gland to secrete more of the ACTH or adrenocorticotrophic hormone than it should. It releases high cortisol into the body of the dog which causes a variety of symptoms. In some cases, Cushing’s can be caused by an adrenal tumor and can be caused by administering cortisone for allergies.
Canine Cushing's Symptoms include:
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain
- Thinning hair
- Enlarged abdomen
- Muscle weakness
- Lose interest in daily activities
- Lethargy
- Panting
- Bony appearance to head
The best way to catch the early symptoms and signs of Cushing's in dogs is through blood tests. Blood tests are an important part of diagnosing Cushing's in dogs. A complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemistry panel will be used to assess the overall health of the dog, and to look for any underlying conditions that might be causing the Cushing's.
In addition, specific tests that measure the levels of cortisol in the blood can help to confirm the diagnosis. Other hormone tests may be used to help identify the cause, such as a thyroxine test and an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. It is important to monitor the dog's cortisol levels throughout the course of treatment with medications to ensure that they are kept within a safe range.
Natural Remedies for Cushing’s in Dogs
While this diagnosis can be a little scary, there is hope in the many natural ways to help ease the symptoms of Cushing's in dogs.
Some natural ingredients to look for include:
- Burdock. This herb is known for its cleansing abilities. It can help to clean any unwanted substance from the body.
- Dandelion. This herb helps remove inflammation and helps in adrenal function.
- Hepar Sulph. This will help to heal irritated skin that may be caused by Cushing’s
- Arsenicum. This can help with frequent urination as well as thirst.
- Sulphur. This has many uses including improving some skin conditions in dogs, helping digestion and reducing thirst.
- Mercurius. This can help aid in thirst as well as irritability.
These medicinal herbs can be mixed in treats or added to their food for your pets to make them easier to take. Make sure that you give these to your pet frequently as the more they get these healthy herbs, the better that their health will be. Many people have seen remarkable results with using these herbs.
Supplements are the best way to make sure your pet gets the ingredients it needs. Prana Pets offers the Cushing's Killer Combo. This has 3 different supplements to boost the immune system, control the symptoms, and help keep your dog comfortable and acting like their normal, lively self. Each product included in this bundle has a specific purpose.
The Immunity Blend can help detoxify the body and boost your pets immune system. The Adrenal Balance can aid in restoring balance in the entire HPA (hypothalamic, pituitary, adrenal) axis, rather than just suppressing symptoms. The third and final product in the Cushing's Killer Combo is CBD Oil.
Our CBD Oil is made from Colorado grown, high quality, full-spectrum hemp. It's certified organic and uses a cold extraction process to ensure only the good stuff remains while being processed. CBD Oil has been shown to help dogs with general discomfort, stress, nervousness, and digestive issues. Most importantly, CBD will improve your pets overall comfort while dealing with the uncomfortable symptoms of Cushing's.
Conclusion
Perhaps one of the most important holistic treatments to aid in improving your dog's life expectancy with Cushing's is changing their diet. Your pet should be on a specifically recommended diet for Cushing's in dogs. It is filled full of grains and additives that can actually make your pet worse. Switching your dog to an all-natural raw food diet, will greatly improve his or her health and reduce the Canine Cushing's Disease Symptoms.
Once you hear the life expectancy of canines with Cushing's is not great, you will want to do all that you can to ensure that your dog has a full life. Trying natural supplements has helped many people to give their dogs full lives and go past that three-year life expectancy.
If your dog has been diagnosed with Cushing’s, consider giving them some of these natural supplement options and switch to a raw food diet for dogs. In just a matter of days, you will see a vast improvement.
