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Supraglan™ for dogs

Natural Cushing’s Disease, Adrenal, and Addison’s Support for dogs

USD $50.95
Supraglan™ for dogs USD $50.95 Add to Cart

From Addison’s to Cushing’s: Supporting Adrenal Gland in Dogs

Vet Talks 3 min read
Photo of a Yorkshire Terrier laying down with eyes closed, to represent a issues with adrenal gland in dogs

Your little one’s adrenal gland regulates many essential functions in your pet’s body. This little structure that sits on top of the kidneys produces some of the most crucial steroid hormones, such as aldosterone and cortisol. This means that any issues with the adrenal gland in dogs can affect their body’s metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, and stress response.

Adrenal Issues in Pets 

Cortisol is stored in the adrenal glands and is released in times of stress, helping our little one’s body prepare for a fight or flight situation. This release triggers the metabolism to expect physical exertion by mobilizing fat and sugar stores and retaining sodium and water. Lastly, your furkiddo’s whole body prepares to use stored energy more quickly.

However, constant exposure to this hormone on an ongoing basis can cause long-term issues in your little one. In the same way, deficiency in the production of these steroid hormones can be just as dangerous for pets.

Adrenal conditions are more common in adult and senior-aged dogs as opposed to cats. This is why we recommend continually monitoring the adrenal gland in dogs with your local veterinarian. 

Infographic of the adrenal gland in dogs

Addison’s vs. Cushing’s Disease in Dogs

Both Addison’s and Cushing’s diseases result from a malfunction in your little one’s adrenal gland. The difference is that the overproduction of steroid hormones causes Cushing’s disease. On the other hand, Addison’s disease happens when the body is not producing enough steroid hormones necessary for normal function.

85 percent of cases of Cushing’s disease occur in response to a tumor in the pituitary gland.

Lack of energy and increased thirst are symptoms that both conditions show. Cushing’s, however, causes increased appetite, “potbelly,” obesity, thin skin, hair loss, and bruising. Whereas Addison’s is on the other end of the spectrum, causing weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and bloody stools.

Photo of a Jack Russel dog shedding white fur all over a brown couch to illustrate possible symptoms of problems with adrenal glands in dogs

Naturally Healthy Adrenal Gland in Dogs

Illnesses that impact so much of your furkiddo’s overall functionality, like issues with the adrenal gland in dogs, can really benefit from holistic support. That’s because a holistic veterinarian like myself sees your pup’s body as a connected organism and aims at helping each affected part of the whole system.

Our main recommendation for any adrenal issues is NHV Supraglan. We formulated this supplement to help balance the production of adrenal hormones and support pituitary gland function. But, seeing your furkiddo’s body as a whole, this vet-formulated blend also contains herbs that may help support organs and systems that are subjected to additional stress because of the disease.

For example, Astragalus may help buffer adrenal responses to stress, increase energy, improve immunity, regulate blood sugar levels, and alleviate insulin resistance. Kelp is beneficial for maintaining iodine and other trace mineral levels essential for adrenal function.

There are also studies showing that Milk Thistle can signalize the ACTH to send information to the adrenal gland to stop the secretion of cortisol in pets. Therefore, adding our pet-specific NHV Milk Thistle extract can give added benefits to dogs with Cushing’s Disease. You can find both Supraglan and Milk Thistle in our NHV Cushing’s Disease Essentials Kit here


If you still have questions about adrenal issues in dogs and natural holistic support for diseases like Addison’s and Cushing’s, please know that we are always a message away.

Dr. Amanda Nascimento DVM, MVSc, PhD

Dr. Amanda Nascimento DVM, MVSc, PhD

Dr. Amanda completed her undergraduate degree in veterinary medicine in 2010 and graduate studies in veterinary pathology (MVSc. 2012 and PhD 2016) at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo. She completed her post-doctoral training at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine – University of Saskatchewan in 2018. Dr. Nascimento will be hosting her own blog series and sharing her knowledge with our extended NHV family.

Published: January 3, 2023

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