Blog

The Role of Cortisol in Pets

As cortisol is the key contributor to Cushing’s syndrome, we have written quite a bit about it in that context already.  However, in this post, we are going to step back a bit and focus on what it does in non-Cushing’s dogs as well.  What other diseases are associated with cortisol?  And, if it is responsible for these diseases, then why do dogs, humans and other animals produce it in the first place? What is Cortisol? Cortisol is commonly known as a...

Featured Read more...

Hidden Ingredients (excipients) in Supplements for Dogs

Supplement manufacturers heavily promote the active ingredients in their supplements but rarely highlight their inactive ingredients and, unfortunately, seem not to spend much time thinking about them.  But, they should, as the “inactive” ingredients lurking at the bottom of a supplement label may be negatively impacting your pet’s health. In this post, we will let you know why hidden ingredients are added to supplements and which ones may be harmful to your pet, especially if they are suffering from Cushing’s syndrome,...

Featured Read more...

How To Read Your Dog’s Test Results

Your veterinarian may order several tests to monitor your pet’s general health or to diagnose specific conditions.  In this post, we want to take a look at some of the tests your dog may have gotten and what the results may mean. Knowledge of the various tests will not only empower you to make informed treatment decisions on your pet’s behalf but also help you prioritize which tests to get if you can’t afford them all.  You can save time, money,...

Featured Read more...

Two Principal Benefits of Milk Thistle

Milk thistle has been used by physicians and herbalists since ancient times to treat liver disorders.  In modern times, the range of uses of milk thistle has expanded to include treatment of diabetic and related conditions, use as an antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory, treatment for mushroom poisoning, treatment of certain cancers, and even psychological conditions such as gambling addiction, methamphetamine addiction, and obsessive compulsive disorder.  Clinicaltrials.gov lists 65 completed and on-going human trials for those and many other conditions.  In fact,...

Featured Read more...

What Can Your Dog’s Poop Tell You?

The most likely cause of a change in your dog’s poop is a change in their normal routine.  Changes in eating habits, exercise, and daily routine can cause changes in poop. If the change in poop can’t be explained by changes in your dog’s daily life, consulting a veterinarian is the first thing you should do. Below are some of the things to look for and some possible causes if you spot a difference in your dog’s poop that can’t be...

Featured Read more...

What To Do if Lignans Aren’t Working

If you are taking lignans and melatonin as a hormone balancer or are giving the combination to your dog, cat or other pet for Cushing’s syndrome or another hormone-related condition and are not seeing the results you expect, there are several things you can try: 

Featured Read more...

Care for Aging Dogs

Aging dogs require different care than younger dogs. Some dogs will put on weight because of less mobility. Some become friendlier and want more attention from their owner, while others may become short-tempered or worried because they might not see or hear as well as they did before.  They may be more susceptible to injury […]

Featured Read more...

Mental Health Benefits of Melatonin for Dogs

If Independence Day and New Year’s Eve fireworks drive your pets crazy or if your pets get anxious when they travel or experience new surroundings, people or pets, you may have considered the use of melatonin for their relief.   What Is Melatonin?  Melatonin is a hormone produced, primarily, in the pineal gland of mammals.  Melatonin […]

Featured Read more...

Gallbladder and Milk Thistle

Gallbladder and Milk Thistle  Introduction to Gallbladder  For dog and humans alike, the gallbladder is a thin sac-like organ that collects bile from the liver, stores and concentrates the collected bile until it is needed for digestion and then releases it into the duodenim (the very first part of the small intestine, immediately after the […]

Featured Read more...

Exercise and Extra Care of Dogs suffering from Cushing’s Disease

Cushing’s syndrome is a serious health complication that threatens your pup’s longevity and wellbeing. In Cushing’s syndrome, there is overproduction of cortisol and/or other hormones because of a problem in the dog’s hypothalamus, pituitary gland (hypophysis) or adrenal glands.  Overproduction of those hormones causes some combination of the following signs in your dog: Left untreated, […]

Featured Read more...

Diet for Your Pet with Cushing’s Syndrome

As with humans, the health and wellbeing of your pet largely depend on two main factors–diet and exercise. This is even more the case with pets suffering from Cushing’s syndrome.Cushing’s syndrome may result from any of several causes affecting the adrenal glands, the pituitary gland (hypophysis), or the hypothalamus that result in abnormally high levels […]

Featured Read more...

Milk Thistle – Common uses for Liver Support and Diabetes

Milk thistle has been used by physicians and herbalists since ancient times to treat liver disorders.  In modern times, the range of uses of milk thistle has expanded to include treatment of diabetic and related conditions, use as an antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory, treatment for mushroom poisoning, treatment of certain cancers, and even psychological conditions such […]

Featured Read more...

SAMe: More than just Liver Support

SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) is best known as a supplement for providing support for the liver.  However, SAMe is also used as a treatment for liver disease, depression, osteoarthritis, schizophrenia, as a safer alternative to NSAIDs for providing pain relief and has undergone clinical trials for many of these uses.  In fact, SAMe is the universal donor […]

Featured Read more...

Melatonin- Not the Sleep Hormone people think

The one thing everyone knows about melatonin is that it is the “sleep hormone”.  This is wrong.  Rather, melatonin is a  darkness hormone that tells the body time of day and season of year.  It is released (primarily) from the pineal gland when sensors in the eye detect diminishing light or darkness.  In humans, this […]

Featured Read more...

Cushing and Diabetes

Why are Cushing’s Dogs (and Stressed out People) Especially Susceptible to Diabetes?  The hallmark cause of Cushing’s disease is elevated cortisol levels. Cortisol is the key hormone that the body produces in response to a “fight or flight” stimulus. It causes a cascade of physiological effects, including suppression of the immune system, suppression of digestive […]

Featured Read more...

Skin Care for Your Cushing’s Dog 

What are the causes of skin and hair problems in your Cushing’s dog?  Cushing's syndrome is caused by long-term, elevated levels of cortisol (typical Cushing’s syndrome) or other corticosteroids (atypical Cushing’s syndrome) in your dog.  Cushing’s dogs are especially susceptible to skin and hair problems due to a number of effects of Cushing’s syndrome, including:    Skin changes— In the short-term, corticosteroids can actually reduce hair loss.  However, long-term exposure to cortisol and/or other corticosteroids can result in thinning of skin and weakness...

Read more...

Melatonin- Not the Sleep Hormone

The one thing everyone knows about melatonin is that it is the “sleep hormone”.  This is wrong.  Rather, melatonin is a  darkness hormone that tells the body time of day and season of year.  It is released (primarily) from the pineal gland when sensors in the eye detect diminishing light or darkness.  In humans, this leads to a series of functions, including causing us to want to sleep and to stay asleep.  However, melatonin is evolutionarily one of the most...

Read more...