Adrenal Disorders in Dogs with Dr. Ruth Roberts
Recently I did a podcast with Dr. Ruth Roberts, integrative veterinarian, holistic health coach, longtime pet advocate and your pet’s ally. Dr. Ruth is also the creator of The Original CrockPET Diet, a balanced home cooked diet for pets. Through her diet and practice, Dr. Ruth has supported thousands of dogs and cats to overcome health hurdles like kidney disease, GI illness, allergies, and cancer. She joined us on It’s A Dog’s Life to discuss the adrenal diseases and disorders that are so prevalent in dogs today, and what we can do to prevent them or support our pets after a diagnosis.
Listen in to the whole episode:
Table of Contents
Cushing’s Disease in Dogs
Cushing’s Disease, also known as hypercortisolism or hyperadrenocorticism, involves the production of too much cortisol hormone. Cortisol helps control stress, weight, infections, and blood sugar. Too much cortisol, or not enough cortisol, can wreak havoc on your pet’s overall health.
Pituitary Dependent Cushing’s Disease is caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland, and is the most common type, occurring in 80-90% of animals with Cushing’s Disease. Adrenal Dependent Cushing’s Disease is caused by a tumor on the adrenal glands, and is the second most common, occurring in about 15% of animals with Cushing’s. Iatrogenic Cushing’s Syndrome is caused by over-prescription of steroids, and is the least common type of Cushing’s.
Related: CBD for Cushing’s Disease in Dogs
Addison’s Disease in Dogs
Addison’s disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism, is when the adrenal glands no longer produce, or cannot produce enough hormones, specifically cortisol and aldosterone. It is commonly caused by some type of immune-mediated response resulting in destruction to the adrenal tissue. It can less commonly be caused by trauma, infection, or cancer.
The other form of Addison’s may be caused by a tumor or some type of pituitary defect. This may occur when a dog has been treated with steroids long-term or has abruptly stopped taking any medication. Iatrogenic hypoadrenocorticism can also develop in dogs after ending long-term steroid use.
Related: Managing Addison’s Disease in Dogs
CBD for Adrenal Disease in Dogs
One of Dr. Ruth’s first steps for pets diagnosed with adrenal disorders is to start them on CBD, to encourage homeostasis in the body. CBD works with the body’s endocannabinoid system to bring the body back to balance. This includes hormonal imbalances like the cortisol imbalance from the adrenal or pituitary glands. CBD is also helpful in the case of adrenal disorders caused by tumors, as CBD has been found to trigger apoptosis (natural cell death) in cancer cells. CBD has also been found to reduce the growth of tumors by preventing the formation of blood vessels that feed the tumor’s growth.
For dogs with adrenal disorders, we recommend CBD Dog Health’s HEAL: CBD Oil for dogs, which is an 1100mg Full Spectrum Hemp Extract. Based on research and our experience, we recommend starting with 35-50 mg daily to treat Cushing’s Disease or Addison’s Disease in dogs. Within that range we recommend you start low and adjust based on your pet’s response to determine your optimal dose.
Your Pet’s Ally
Pet parents may not be able to protect pets from disease, but we can support our pet by becoming their best ally. We believe when you know better, you do better. So take back control of your pet’s diet and be your pet’s advocate when it comes to what is entering their system. Whether that’s synthetic pharmaceuticals, processed food, toxic flea and tick medications, household chemicals, or even over-vaccination.
Support your pet’s endocrine system, and don’t spay or neuter too early. When it comes to the question of when to spay a dog or when to neuter a dog, the answer isn’t clear-cut. Most integrative or holistic veterinarians will suggest pet parents not spay or neuter in the first year. However others may suggest not to spay or neuter your pet in the first five, six, or even eight years of age.
To support your pet’s overall gut health and immune system, we recommend a fresh, species-appropriate diet, which can be supplemented with probiotics.
To book a consultation with Dr. Ruth Roberts, or to learn more about The Original CrockPET Diet, any of the recommended supplements in this article, and access many more resources from Dr. Ruth Roberts, visit her website.
About Angela Ardolino
Angela Ardolino is a holistic pet expert who has been caring for animals for over 20 years. She operates a rescue farm, Fire Flake Farm, in Florida. In addition, she owns Beautify the Beast, a natural pet salon and shop. Moreover, Angela got her certificate in Medical Cannabis Biology and Therapeutic use from the University of Vermont School of Medicine. Next, she founded CBD Dog Health to provide high quality, all-natural medical cannabis products designed specifically for pets.
Accordingly, she uses Full Spectrum Hemp Extract on all her pets at her rescue farm every day since 2016. Angela has five dogs. Odie a 12-year-old mini-schnauzer, Nina an 8-year-old Doberman. Jolene a 7-year-old mutt, Maza a 7-year-old mutt, and Rhemi an 8-year-old poodle. In addition, she has 4-10 more any time she is fostering or boarding. She is a member of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians and the Veterinary Cannabis Association. In fact, Angela has educated hundreds of medical doctors and veterinarians on the therapeutic uses of medical cannabis on animals.
About Dr. Ruth Roberts
Dr. Ruth Roberts is an integrative veterinarian and holistic pet health coach, as well as being your pet’s ally. Like most veterinarians, her journey began with the love she developed for her childhood pets. While in veterinary school, it became apparent to her that her role as a veterinarian went well beyond checkups and surgeries. Dr. Ruth realized that she was more than a doctor to our furry friends, she was also their friend and advocate.
Unfortunately, her textbook knowledge and many years spent practicing traditional Western veterinary medicine only took her so far. Dr. Ruth began pursuing acupuncture and Eastern Veterinary Medicine at the Chi Institute in Florida. This opened up many new avenues for her. But most importantly, it revealed the healing powers of acupuncture, as well as herbal and food therapy. She realized that what our pets eat is the first step in preventative care and maintaining good health. Dr. Ruth realized that in order for our pets to meet their bodies’ nutritional demands, they needed real food. And thus, The Original CrockPET Diet™ was born. Soon enough, acupuncture, herbal therapy and food therapy became her preferred treatments and recommendations. Integrative veterinary medicine gave her the chance to become not only an advocate for pets, but an ally.