Pets Care

Cortisol is often referred to as a ‘stress hormone’. This is because its secretion by the adrenal glands is related to the stress factor. In addition it also affects blood pressure, blood sugar and is vital to the immunosuppressive actions of the dog’s body. The synthetic form of cortisol, known as hydrocortisone, is used to treat inflammatory diseases, allergic reactions and to supplement deficiencies of the endogenous cortisol.

Levels of cortisol in the body change according to the need of the body. They also vary according to the day-night cycle – the levels are at their peak early in the morning and lowest about 2 to 3 hours after sleep time. Damages to the pituitary or adrenal glands can disturb the production of the hormone to cause conditions like Cushings disease (hyperadrenocorticism) and Addison’s disease that require immediate attention of the dog owners. These glands are the two endocrinal glands that are vital to endogenous production of cortisol in the body.

Although the signs of both are the same, medical experts tend to differentiate Cushings disease in a dog from Cushings syndrome. The former refers specifically to a tumor in the pituitary gland that causes an excess of the hormone, ACTH in the body. Cushings disease in a dog is referred to as secondary hyperadrenocorticism in dogs.

Diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism involves physical examination and routine blood tests. Symptoms of hyperadrenocorticism tend to mimic a number of other endocrinal, liver and kidney disorders. Vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, hair loss and skin problems are some of the symptoms that are common to hyperadrenocorticism and hyperthyroidism.

Veterinarians usually prefer to rule out the prevalence of hyperthyroidism before proceeding with treatment for hyperadrenocorticism. For this purpose a series of specific tests are performed to establish cortisol levels in the dog’s body. Some of the tests that might be required include:

* Complete blood count.
* Complete analysis of urine.
* Complete chemistry profie.
* Abdominal x-rays and ultra sound examination.
* Complete thyroid profile

The data collected by the veterinarian determines whether the various symptoms are being caused by high levels of cortisol. Once it has been confimed that the cortisol levels are the culprit, further tests like Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Stimulation Test, Low-Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test, Urine Cortisol-Creatinine Ratio, High-Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test and /or Plasma ACTH Measurements need to be undertaken. These tests establish firmly whether the symptoms are due to hyperthyroidism or Cushings disease. These tests also determine whether the consition is due to adrenal dysfunction or pituitary malfunction.

Both Cushings disease and hyperthyroidism are serious conditions that can affect dog behaviour in a big way. Cushings disease is a life threatening condition and requires constant monitoring if you want to ensure that your pet has a comfortable life.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cushing’s_syndrome

http://www.oxfordlabs.com/dbhwthyp.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol

It is often easy to miss out on some of the symptoms that surface in your dog. Since dog has given companionship, loyalty and affection to humans, the least that man can do is to ensure that their pets are healthy and well taken care of.

Sometimes symptoms like excessive urination, hair loss and too much of huffing and puffing can be the first warning signs of endocrinal diseases like Cushing

s disease or hypothyroidism.

Disturbances in the required levels of thyroid hormones cause hypothyroidism (less secretion of hormone) or hyperthyroidism (increased secretion).

Most cases of hypothyroidism in dogs results from an autoimmune system dysfunction. This affects the lymphocytes causing them to decreases in size in some cases.

Hyperthyroidism is extremely rare in dogs. But in most cases, the underlying cause almost always is a cancerous tumor in the thyroid.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism are vague and not easily discernable. Signs like decreased activity, fluid retention, swelling, infections in ear or skin and muscle weakness may not always result in the diagnosis for hypothyroidism. But it is always advisable to seek professional consultation to completely rule out thyroid dysfunction.

Once identified, the treatment of a diseased thyroid gland in dogs is easy. If a thyroid gland is secreting a lower than required quantity of hormones, all that one needs to administer is- inexpensive synthetic thyroid hormone pills. It is best done under the care of a qualified professional so that the correct dose is arrived at by looking at successive blood tests.

One symptom of hypothyroidism that needs special mention is hair loss. Loss of hair or change in coat can also indicate hyperadrenocorticism in a dog.

Cushings disease in dogs is caused by disturbances in the amount of secretions done by the adrenal gland. These disturbances are serious prove to be fatal if not controlled in time.

Increase in secretion of cortisol is a harbinger of more trying times. They indicate the presence of a tumor that is probably hampering the interaction between the pituitary and adrenal glands. The loss of interaction results in an increased level of cortisol.

Cushings disease in dogs requires an extremely complicated treatment. In many cases it is recommended that no treatment be followed. The advice is to try to make the dog’s life comfortable for as long as he lives.

References:
http://www.2ndchance.info/doghypothyroid.htm http://www.seefido.com/canine-dog-health/html/canine_dog_adrenal_glands.htm

http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/hyperthyroidism.html

Hyperadrenocorticism in dogs, commonly known as Cushings disease, is an endocrinal disorder caused by the malfunctioning of either the adrenal glands and/or the pituitary glands. There are natural as well as drug induced causes behind the occurrence of this disease in your pet.

Apart from the harrowing symptoms, there are numerous medical ramifications of Cushings disease in dogs that can potentially affect how long your dog lives

* High blood pressure and heart problems due to a weakening of muscles.
* Pancreas’ problems that are rare but can be fatal.
* Kidney problems that arise due to protein loss due to damage in the filtering system.
* Formation of clots in blood vessels due to malfunctioning kidneys.
* Infections caused due to suppression of autoimmune system by excess cortisol.
* Delayed healing of wounds due to excessive cortisol.

Majority of the pets with symptoms of Cushings disease almost always have accompanying high blood pressure and the related cardiac conditions. Due to muscle atrophy the heart muscles thicken and fail to pump sufficient blood.

This results in a congestive heart condition. The lungs and abdominal cavities are filled with fluid as enough blood is not available. The resultant hypertension causes the heart to work even harder. This increases the chances of a heart failure significantly.

The production of cortisol can increase due to the presence of a tumor near the adrenal glands.

Sometimes artificially synthesized cortisol is used to cure some other condition. In this case, if the dosage is not effectively controlled, the hormonal level increases. This can cause secondary hyperadrenocorticism to occur.

The long term effects of hyperadrenocorticism due to a tumor and external cortisol dosages are the same.

However, drug induced disease can be controlled by stopping the drug if it is not too late. Natural condition of Cushings disease requires long term treatment that may not succeed in many cases.

The prognosis of Cushings disease in dogs is extremely bleak. The sad part is that it is most likely to be detected late. It affects aged dogs more than the young ones. The various drugs used to treat the disease have side effects that may further complicate the condition. Many times a conscious decision has to be taken whether to treat or simply make your pet comfortable and let be.

Reference: http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu

Hypothyroid conditions in pets

The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones which have a number of functions in the body and are particularly critical in maintaining your pet’s metabolic rate. Any change in the functioning of this gland can have varied effects on your pet’s health. In some animals (and humans) the function of the thyroid gland may become compromised and decrease as your pet ages or due to inflammation of the gland.

Although hypothyroidism (decreased functioning of the thyroid) is not a life-threatening condition, it can certainly decrease your dog or cat’s quality of life.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism may be insidious in onset and not immediately obvious. If your pet has been putting on weight or you suspect hypothyroidism for another reason, it is best to consult your vet who will be able to test for this condition by measuring thyroid hormones in the blood.

What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism in pets?

Pets with hypothyroid conditions may gain weight without any change in their diet. Many become lethargic and seem to lack energy. The coat and skin may suffer from the lack of thyroid hormones- leading to hair loss and dry skin. Constipation, slow heart rate and infertility are also common problems in pets with hypothyroidism.

What is the conventional treatment?

Hypothyroidism in pets is conventionally treated by administering a daily dose of synthetic thyroid hormones. This can often restore healthy thyroid functioning very effectively.

One of the main problems with synthetic thyroid hormones however is that they may result in too much thyroid hormone in the body, resulting in hyperthyroidism. This is because it is often difficult to determine exactly how much of the synthetic hormones are needed for optimal thyroid functioning.

What is PetAlive Thyro-Pet?

PetAlive Thyro-Pet is a 100% safe and natural combination of herbal ingredients for treating hypothyroid conditions in pets. This remedy will improve your pet’s thyroid functioning and increase the production of thyroid hormones naturally as well as address all the major symptoms associated with hypothyroidism.

Thyro-Pet contains no added synthetic thyroid hormones and there is therefore no risk of inducing hyperthyroidism in your pet.

In convenient drop form, Thyro-Pet is easily mixed in a little bit of your pet’s favorite food and may be administered without a fuss.

Use PetAlive Thyro-Pet To:

* Restore healthy thyroid functioning in your pet
* Treat hypothyroid conditions caused by iodine deficiency
* Ensure adequate production of thyroid hormones
* Assist with fatigue, constipation, weight gain and other symptoms associated with hypothyroidism in dogs, cats and other pets

What are the ingredients of Thyro-Pet?

PetAlive Thyro-Pet contains the following 100% natural ingredients:

Fucus vesiculosis is also called Bladderwrack or kelp and is a sea vegetable which is a prime source of iodine – crucial in preventing thyroid problems. It has been used medicinally in humans for thousands of years, especially in traditional Chinese medicine, and is just as effective in domestic animals. Apart from the beneficial effect on thyroid functioning, kelp is also used as a metabolic stimulant and will help overweight pets to shed their excess weight. When using kelp medicinally for people or pets, always make sure that it is sourced by a reputable and trusted company. Kelp harvested from the beach or near to the coast may be contaminated with industrial waste, sewage, lead, mercury or other toxins. Kelp used in PetAlive Thyro-Pet has been harvested only from uncontaminated areas and screened for the presence of toxins, heavy metal and sand contamination.

Astragalus membranaceous (Huang Qi) is an herb which has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for many centuries as a revitalizing tonic for the endocrine system. It is a very useful protector of thyroid and adrenal gland function and also helps to regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Recent research confirms the positive effect of Astragalus on helping the body fight against disease.

Eleutherococcus senticosis (Siberian Ginseng) is a botanical cousin of Panax ginseng and has been used in ancient Chinese medicine for thousands of years to enhance energy and increase endurance. This herbal ingredient is excellent for addressing the fatigue that many pets with hypothyroid conditions suffer from. Recent research has clinically proven that regular use of Siberian Ginseng will help the body to withstand physical stress and boost immune functioning.

Urtica urens is used traditionally and in modern herbalism as a circulatory stimulant to regulate metabolism, thyroid and adrenal function. This herb is also a good source of minerals, as well as Vitamins A, B and C.

(PetAlive Thyro-Pet contains no gluten, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives)

How has Thyro-Pet helped others?

“Both my dog’s vet and I are very impressed with your product Thyro-Pet which has helped to regulate my dog’s thyroid functioning very effectively. By using this natural product regularly we have managed to completely stop his synthetic medication without any return of his previous symptoms. Many thanks- I am thrilled to have my pet on an effective, all-natural regimen.” – Heather

“Several months ago my Boxer began to pick up weight and I was convinced our kids were sneaking him plenty of fattening treats behind my back. It turned out, though, that he had a low-functioning thyroid gland. After using your Thyro-Pet formula for about a month we noticed him dropping the excess weight and also saw that he had far more energy to play and when taken for walks. We will be stocking up on this excellent product that has improved our pet’s quality of life so much!” – Shona

How do we use Thyro-Pet?

PetAlive Thyro-Pet comes in convenient tincture form. The drops are easy to administer to pets and may be mixed with food or a treat.

To be taken 2-3 times per day at the following dosage:

Cats and small dogs: 2-3 drops.

Medium dogs: 5-8 drops.

Large dogs: 8-12 drops.

Caution: Should symptoms persist please consult your veterinarian. Safety during pregnancy and nursing has not yet been established. Not recommended for hyperthyroid conditions.

How long until we see results?

Regular use will promote thyroid health and normal thyroid functioning as well as reduce the symptoms associated with hypothyroid conditions. You should begin to notice an improvement in your pet’s symptoms within 3-6 weeks of regular use.

How long does one bottle last?

One 50 ml bottle of Thyro-Pet will last for 15 – 60 days, depending on the size and needs of your pet.