Cushing’s Syndrome (Hyperadrenocorticism)

Luna, a mini Poodle, was a particularly special patient. She was my first acupuncture patient of my veterinarian life. I didn’t know much at the time and had no real experience but her owner Sandra was so keen and desperate to try something other than the very strong conventional drugs. 

When I met Luna, she was 11 years old, and was displaying many classic symptoms of Cushing’s disease such as increased thirst and urination, increased hunger, increased panting, pot-bellied abdomen, weight gain, muscle weakness, loss of hair, thin skin, lack of energy, sleeplessness, and depression.
 
Her liver enzymes were very high. We decided to treat her with acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and a specific prescribed natural diet. She responded quickly and amazingly well. In the first month of treatment her energy levels were much higher and so too her general disposition. At the end of 3 months of treatment her liver enzymes and weight were back to normal. She remained being treated until she was 14. Even though we couldn’t cure her of the syndrome, we could slow down its progression and she lived clinically well until the end of her life. 

When my Luna was 7 years old, she was diagnosed with Cushing’s Syndrome. I got completely desperate because I knew there was no cure for that awful disease, only palliative control and an option to use a specific drug with many side effects. I decided not to use it. I was then introduce to Dr. Flavia and we started Luna’s treatment using acupuncture, chinese herbal formulas, and natural diet developed especially for her.

The benefits and improvements in Luna were uncountable and she lived a comfortable life until she was 14 – (she even stopped shedding although her skin continued to get thinner). She never had any other disease and never had a single side effect from the treatment she was on. I could only see benefits.

It’s important for me to mention the relationship we developed, involving affection, trust and tranquility. Then my other Poodle Toy, Serena, started her treatment to manage her lameness and pain from a bilateral patelar luxation she suffered from. Her pain was so well controlled  that I felt totally confident on avoiding a knee surgery that she was primarily indicated to.

I am and will always be grateful from the bottom of my heart.

– Sandra Pena, São Paulo, Brazil