Natural Remedies for Pets
* Adrenal (Cushex Drops™)
* Adrenal Fatigue
* Aggression
* Allergies
*Anal Glands
* Bladder
* Bladder & Urinary Tract
* Blood Sugar & Insulin
* Breathing
* Chest/Cough
* Cleansing
* Cleansing Shampoo (Cat)
* Coat & Skin
* Coat, Mane & Tail (Horse)
* Colic (Horse)
* Constipation
* Cuts & Scratches
* Cuts & Scratches (Horse)
* Detox
* Digestion
* Digestion (Parasite Dr.™)
* Digestion (Parvo-K™)
* Disobedience
* Ears
* Energy
* Eyes
* Flatulence/Gas
* Fleas
* Fleas & Mosquitoes (Dog)
* Fur balls
* Gums & Teeth
* Heart & Circulation
* Hoof Conditioning (Horse)
* Immunity (Horse)
* Immunity & Liver
* Immunity (C-Caps™)
* Immunity (ViPro Plus™)
* Kidneys
* Lactation/Nursing
* Liver
* Loose Stool
* Lungs/Respiration
* Mites Shampoo (Dog)
* Mites Spray (Dog)
* Muscles & Joints
* Muscles & Joints (Horse)
* Neurological (EaseSure™)
* Oral Health
* Paws
* Performance
* Sadness & Pining
* Pancreas
* Prostate
* Recovery
* Respiratory System (Horse)
* Sinuses
* Skin Allergies
* Skin Fungus
* Stress & Calming
* Stress (Horse)
* Tear Stains
* Teething
* Thyroid
* Thyroid (Soothing)
* Ticks
* Travel
* Weight Management
* Adrenal Fatigue
* Aggression
* Allergies
*Anal Glands
* Bladder
* Bladder & Urinary Tract
* Blood Sugar & Insulin
* Breathing
* Chest/Cough
* Cleansing
* Cleansing Shampoo (Cat)
* Coat & Skin
* Coat, Mane & Tail (Horse)
* Colic (Horse)
* Constipation
* Cuts & Scratches
* Cuts & Scratches (Horse)
* Detox
* Digestion
* Digestion (Parasite Dr.™)
* Digestion (Parvo-
* Disobedience
* Ears
* Energy
* Eyes
* Flatulence/Gas
* Fleas
* Fleas & Mosquitoes (Dog)
* Fur balls
* Gums & Teeth
* Heart & Circulation
* Hoof Conditioning (Horse)
* Immunity (Horse)
* Immunity & Liver
* Immunity (C-
* Immunity (ViPro Plus™)
* Kidneys
* Lactation/Nursing
* Liver
* Loose Stool
* Lungs/Respiration
* Mites Shampoo (Dog)
* Mites Spray (Dog)
* Muscles & Joints
* Muscles & Joints (Horse)
* Neurological (EaseSure™)
* Oral Health
* Paws
* Performance
* Sadness & Pining
* Pancreas
* Prostate
* Recovery
* Respiratory System (Horse)
* Sinuses
* Skin Allergies
* Skin Fungus
* Stress & Calming
* Stress (Horse)
* Tear Stains
* Teething
* Thyroid
* Thyroid (Soothing)
* Ticks
* Travel
* Weight Management
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Copyright © 2009 Natural Remedies for Pets All Rights Reserved
For a limited time we have lowered our shipping rates.
$5.95 Flat Rate Shipping / $9.95 Flat Rate 2 day Guarantee USA
$5.95 Flat Rate Shipping / $9.95 Flat Rate 2 day Guarantee USA
Causes and Effects of Low Cortisol in Dogs
By Tess Thompson
The pituitary gland located at the base of the brain releases ACTH (hormones that stimulate the adrenal cortex)
into the blood stream. Another part of the brain, the hypothalamus, is responsible for directing the pituitary
gland to do this. Once released into the blood stream, ACTH stimulates the two adrenal glands situated near
the kidney of the dog to secrete cortisol, a glucocorticoid, into the blood stream.
A dog’s body automatically increases production of cortisol in conditions of stress, infection, pain, surgery
or trauma. This is the natural and automatic response of the body to sustain life and maintain important body
functions.
The body system of a healthy dog is agile and can sustain metabolic equilibrium. It can actively maintain
several complex biological mechanisms that operate via the autonomic nervous
system to offset disrupting changes. This complex system of reciprocal responses
can be disturbed due to adrenal or pituitary tumors or due to veterinary interference.
Administering an excess of cortisol indirectly means ‘poisoning’ the dog’s body
that can ultimately result in Cushing’s disease or hyperadrenocorticism in a dog .
Cushing’s disease in dogs may occur due to issues in the adrenal gland or the
pituitary gland.
A low cortisol level leads to another disease called hypoadrenocorticism in dogs or
Addison’s disease. The most common causes of low cortisol or primary
hypoadrenocorticism in a dog are atrophy of the adrenal cortex or veterinary
interference by external administration of steroids. Secondary hypoadrenocorticism
is the result of an inability of the pituitary to produce enough ACTH to stimulate the
adrenal glands. The reasons behind this pituitary failure are likely to be trauma,
tumors, lesions or veterinary intervention.
Low levels of cortisol disturb the electrolyte balances, and the ratio of sodium to potassium in the body can
go beyond acceptable levels. An electrolyte imbalance is the primary indicator of the condition, but definite
diagnosis is arrived through ACTH stimulation tests that involve a number of blood tests.
The first signs of low levels of cortisol or Addison’s disease are a loss in appetite, vomiting, diarrhea,
lethargy, weakness and a significant loss in weight. The veterinarian may discover clinical signs of
By Tess Thompson
The pituitary gland located at the base of the brain releases ACTH (hormones that stimulate the adrenal cortex)
into the blood stream. Another part of the brain, the hypothalamus, is responsible for directing the pituitary
gland to do this. Once released into the blood stream, ACTH stimulates the two adrenal glands situated near
the kidney of the dog to secrete cortisol, a glucocorticoid, into the blood stream.
A dog’s body automatically increases production of cortisol in conditions of stress, infection, pain, surgery
or trauma. This is the natural and automatic response of the body to sustain life and maintain important body
functions.
The body system of a healthy dog is agile and can sustain metabolic equilibrium. It can actively maintain
several complex biological mechanisms that operate via the autonomic nervous
system to offset disrupting changes. This complex system of reciprocal responses
can be disturbed due to adrenal or pituitary tumors or due to veterinary interference.
Administering an excess of cortisol indirectly means ‘poisoning’ the dog’s body
that can ultimately result in Cushing’s disease or hyperadrenocorticism in a dog .
Cushing’s disease in dogs may occur due to issues in the adrenal gland or the
pituitary gland.
A low cortisol level leads to another disease called hypoadrenocorticism in dogs or
Addison’s disease. The most common causes of low cortisol or primary
hypoadrenocorticism in a dog are atrophy of the adrenal cortex or veterinary
interference by external administration of steroids. Secondary hypoadrenocorticism
is the result of an inability of the pituitary to produce enough ACTH to stimulate the
adrenal glands. The reasons behind this pituitary failure are likely to be trauma,
tumors, lesions or veterinary intervention.
Low levels of cortisol disturb the electrolyte balances, and the ratio of sodium to potassium in the body can
go beyond acceptable levels. An electrolyte imbalance is the primary indicator of the condition, but definite
diagnosis is arrived through ACTH stimulation tests that involve a number of blood tests.
The first signs of low levels of cortisol or Addison’s disease are a loss in appetite, vomiting, diarrhea,
lethargy, weakness and a significant loss in weight. The veterinarian may discover clinical signs of
Adrenal Health
depression, abnormally slow heart beat and dehydration.
Treatment of Addison’s disease depends upon whether the dog suffers from
a primary or a secondary condition of hypoadrenocorticism. In the primary condition,
the electrolyte balances are overly disturbed, and it is treated with hormonal
replacement therapy. This involves replacement of aldosterone, the hormone
responsible for maintaining the balance. In addition, oral prednisone is administered
to augment the reduced cortisol levels produced by the dog’s body.
In the secondary condition of Addison’s disease however, only glucocorticoids
are prescribed.
Dogs that are diagnosed with low levels of cortisol or Addison’s disease have to
live with the condition throughout their lives.
The maximum that dog owners can do is to intervene with prompt and timely medication. Monitoring
and managing the effects of various drugs is essential to ensure a comfortable life for the dog.
Treatment of Addison’s disease depends upon whether the dog suffers from
a primary or a secondary condition of hypoadrenocorticism. In the primary condition,
the electrolyte balances are overly disturbed, and it is treated with hormonal
replacement therapy. This involves replacement of aldosterone, the hormone
responsible for maintaining the balance. In addition, oral prednisone is administered
to augment the reduced cortisol levels produced by the dog’s body.
In the secondary condition of Addison’s disease however, only glucocorticoids
are prescribed.
Dogs that are diagnosed with low levels of cortisol or Addison’s disease have to
live with the condition throughout their lives.
The maximum that dog owners can do is to intervene with prompt and timely medication. Monitoring
and managing the effects of various drugs is essential to ensure a comfortable life for the dog.