“There are plenty of holistic options for dogs with Cushing’s”
Q Our eight-year-old dog, Walter, has been diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. Our vet wants him to go on a drug called Vetoryl. Can you offer any holistic advice?
J.W., via email
A Cushing’s disease is when the adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone cortisol. Also known as hyperadrenocorticism, or HAC, it’s a common condition in middle-aged or elderly dogs. However, many holistic vets, including myself, believe this syndrome is overdiagnosed, as some tests give too many false-positive results.
There are three types of canine Cushing’s disease:
Enlargement of the pituitary gland due to a tumor causes it to secrete increased amounts of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal glands to secrete more and more cortisol. This is the most common cause, behind some 80–95 percent of Cushing’s cases. Poodles, especially miniature
