Natural Remedies

Melatonin and Flaxseed

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Posted by Loraine (Paramus, New Jersey) on 02/12/2013

Hi. My beagle mix has cushing's disease. She's had problems with her skin, including rashes, skin turning black and terrible odor, and her fur falling out. Also excessive drinking. I had her on Vetoryl for a while, which initially helped, but then the skin problems returned, even while her cortisol levels dropped so she was headed towards Addison crisis. Not to mention the cost of the vet bills.

I took her off the Vetoryl and instead put her on melatonin tablets and flaxseed lignans. She weighs 45 lbs, and even though the recommendation is to give 6mg melatonin twice a day for dogs weighing over 30 pounds, this seemed too much for her (I could literally feel her head pounding, like she had a terrible headache). I dropped her down to 3 mg in the morning and 5mg at night with no adverse effects and ALL her skin conditions improved! No more odor, either.

Her drinking improved for a while with the melatonin regimen, but then increased again. Then recently, believe it or not, I started giving her two tablespoons canned pumpkin (pumpkin the only ingredient)with her food daily, and her excessive drinking is noticeably improved! I've read that too much pumpkin can spike the sugar level, but I believe the fiber slows digestion and I don't know how, but it really has helped. She still drinks more than my other dog, but she is much improved and in no distress! Hope this helps.

Replied by C
Burke, Virginia
02/15/2013

Thank you for posting... Where would I purchase the Melatonin & Flaxseed for dogs? I hated the side effects of Vectory for my dog. Any other treatments? Cate

Replied by Oceanlife
Vero Beach, Fl
02/20/2013

Melatonin. ?.. You can get it at any drug store. Be sure its a low dose. My dog is 15 I bs and he is on 1.5 to 3 mil. I use it to go to sleep. My dog is on it to treat cushing disease. My poor maltese is taking lysogrine for 9 months and now some other hormone is way higher than it should be but was normal before the lyso. Now there specialist wants to do a boost of it for 5 days. I am so tired, emotionally and financially! It is 500 for 2 blood work. I have decided to seek a holistic vet. Can anyone tell me if there is proven treatment Long Term? I don't mean if it helps the symptoms. I mean, does it Extend the life of my baby? That's the bottom line. He is only 8. He is our only "child". We have so many health issues, he is the reason I get out of bed. I love I this little guy. I'd appreciate any info, experiences you could share with me. Thank you.

Replied by Loraine
Paramus, Nj
03/09/2013

This site appears not to allow the mention of specific websites. Therefore, to purchase melatonin and flaxseed lignans formulated for dogs, do a search on your computer with the keywords "melatonin" and "lignans" and you will find a site linked to the University of Tennessee that did a study on melatonin and lignans for dogs with cushings disease, and there you can find what you need. I prefer the melatonin from this site versus your local supermarket because it is formulated specifically for dogs - has no dicalcium phosphate, which I believe can be hard on the kidneys. I am also finding that fish oil capsules which are antiinflammatory, are helpful to my dog. Hope this helps.

Replied by Dm
North Babylon, Ny
03/24/2013

Hi Loraine, Thanks for your help!! How do you give the dog "lignans". My girl is on an immuno suppresant and it is not giving her any relief. She has the re-occuring black skin all over her stomach. I am going to try the melatonin, fish oil and pumpkin (someone else recommended). Please get back re: the lignans as I am desperate.. My poor baby licks, cries and scratches. Thanks again!!!

Replied by Loraine
Paramus, New Jersey
09/30/2013

Just updating regarding Cushings for my 45 pound beagle mix dog. I continue to give her melatonin, although slight resurgence of skin problems had me increase the dose to 4 mg in am and 5 mg in pm with improvement once again. I also give her flaxseed lignans (basically, the lignans are in the flaxseed hulls. You can get the flaxseed hulls in capsule form or in a bulk powder. You cannot, apparently, get enough lignans from the whole flaxseeds- It would require eating about 1/4 pound of flaxseed/day! ). I simply mix the lignans into her food.

Even though my dog's Skin problems were under control, her water drinking remained a problem that continued to get worse, despite the pumpkin or fish oil. It wasn't until I tried phosphatidyl serine (recommended in a book by a holistic veterinarian) that she is truly and finally better! You can find this anywhere that sells vitamins, it is used in people to help against depression and alzheimer's. It has been several months now, so I am honestly convinced! I give her 100 mg/ day, in the middle of the day with the lignans, separate from the melatonin. An added benefit to giving this to my dog is she seems a lot happier. She smiles all the time now. She no longer drinks water to excess.

One word of caution: Not all phosphatidyl serine is equal because not all vitamin makers have integrity. Phosphatidyl serine is a lipid, and should have the consistency of soft butter (You can see this if you open the capsule. ) The brand I use is sold in 200 mg capsules with the contents inside the capsules a bright orange. Unfortunately it doesn't sell the lower dose, so I prick a needle in to the capsule to squeeze out the contents into two empty capsules that I buy separately. Phosphatidyl serine needs to be in a capsule, as taken directly can cause some stomach distress). I tried a cheaper brand that looked like a white powder, not like butter at all- and it did not help my dog.

Hope this helps someone!

Replied by Loraine
Paramus New Jersey
02/15/2014

I wanted to update regarding my 45 lb beagle mix with Cushing's. She continues to do well on Melatonin 4mg in am, 5mg in pm, along with lignans and 100 mg phosphatidyl serine with her food during the afternoon. If someone wants to try phosphatidyl serine, I would recommend they purchase gelcaps rather than capsules, because the gelcaps are more likely to be in the lipid (soft butter) consistency that I have found to work. Phosphatidyl serine reduces cortisol levels and along with the melatonin, seems to have done the trick for my dog. Good luck to everyone.

Replied by Sue
Arkansas
02/20/2014

I read that melatonin should be taken only at night because that is when we naturally produce it. Melatonin taken during the day can stimulate tumor growth. I read this in Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing.

Replied by Theresa
Mpls., Mn
03/28/2014

Hey Caren!

I poked around the web and found an answer that may help you:

"

Research recommends not exceeding a melatonin dosage of 3 to 6 mg every 8 to 12 hours.

A general guideline for dosing melatonin is:

  • 1.5 mg for dogs under 25 lbs one or twice daily
  • 3 mg for an average medium to large sized dog once or twice daily
  • 6 mg if the dog's weight exceeds 100 lbs once or twice daily

If given once daily, the recommendation is to dose in the evening.

Source: http://franklintnvet.com/melatonin-and-lignan-cushings-treatment/

Replied by Jane
Pennsylvania
02/17/2017

Where do I purchase flaxseed lignans for canines???

Replied by Dee
Sc
02/20/2017

My dog has cushings disease and want to control the symptoms naturally. I controlled most of the symptoms. Still need to control my dog Jake's content late afternoon & evening hunger. This Lignans for Life web site and article from Dr. Jack Oliver helped me. I give my dog a healthy diet, Flaxseed Lignans, Melatonin, Milk thistle, Multi vitamin, Vitamin E, Kelp powder, enzyme & probiotic powder, organic plain Kefir, Omega 3 oil, Chic seeds,

I make homemade chicken broth with added gelatin powder and 2 tbsp. Apple cider vinegar, and feed Jake a healthy diet. 3 days a week I add cold pressed olive oil in his foods. Also I give Jake the 12 cell salts which give him energy and helps his weak back legs.

Replied by Anthony
Singapore
09/09/2017

I am having the same problem with my only pet also a maltese

If there is any consolation, purchase the flaxseed lignan capsules 30 mg and the melatonin 3 mg for my maltese

And it's like a miracle cure. He is rid of the symptom of cushing disease, with no drugs involved

Try it and you can see the difference

Can serve the website my old dog.com and Janie will have her reviews online with this holistic treatment.Together with the burdock roots to cleanse the system and give only food, if you could cook food like chicken, .

In my case I give salmon, (which is good for his coat).

Just put into the microwave, together with pumpkin (mashed) and mashed potatoes.

In a month, when I bring him to the vet, she was totally impressed, with this holistic treatment, which I thank janie

Try it..you won't regret, but first you must clean his system with the burdock roots, which you can purchase from any supermarket

Slice a few pieces (like treats), and dogs love it, the balance boiled into a drink and use a syringe to pump into his mouth, (approx 02 syring amount), will do

Replied by Anthony
Singapore
09/09/2017

You can purchase the flaxseed lignan from Amazon if you are living in the states. You only want the powder inside the capsule, to be mixed with his food, personally cooked with no or low sodium content, as sodium is the culprit of cushing disease

Replied by Wilhelmina Knowles
Uk
11/07/2017

My dog is 12yrs old, Cocker cross Springer Spaniel with Cushings did not tolerate Vetoryl, was really ill. Found Pet Wellbeing in USA its a natural treatment who suggested Adrenal Harmony Gold liquid, dose according to weight, Herbal, has been on it for 5months Vet though life expectancy would be 5months so we are there now and he is still here, going for walk every day and enjoying his food, still drinks/pees a fair amount but comfortable so far so good.Also thinking of adding Melatonin and Flax seed Lignans which is also suppose to balance cortisol production. Hope it helps I know what you are going through. Any suggestions to help my dog would be appreciated.

Replied by Geri
Ramona, Ca
01/02/2018

How long did it take for your dog to start showing improvement and how long was it from starting the natural remedy until you started the phosphatidyl? I would just like to know as I'm really worried about my baby and going shopping tomorrow to start your regiment. Your story gives me great faith and hope for my guy and is most appreciated with all my heart. Thank you

Replied by Donna
Delaware
03/05/2018

I also have a 42 lb Beagle with Cushing's, how long did it help for?

Replied by Corinne
Lb
03/10/2018

Hi Loraine,

i know the post is old, hope you will reply but do you still recommend melatonin, lignans and Phosphatidyl serine, I don't want to give Chelsea vetoryl it seems very aggressive. Also the diet is an issue for me, high quality meat protein and no carbs are recommended for dogs with Cushing, the problem is that her liver enzyme are very high and meat protein is hard on an inflamed liver, I don't know what to do...

Replied by Mark
Atlanta
03/12/2018

i have a 15 yr old mixed breed. Her presentation have mostly been appetite, bulging belly, and panting. Slow hair growth, the vet said there was some cushings dermatitis in the comb. She was verified with ultrasound, after trilostane nearly killed her. With daily IV bag injections, I slowly restored her kidneys and appetite. Local honey and smelly fish started that journey. so 6 mths later I am still working on it. she has rebuffed some of the food I make for them. in particular she abstains from a broccoli, sweet potato, yogurt pudding. She began losing weight and I found she wants dry food. So im giving her interspersed handfuls through the day and for supper, I put some green lipped muscle powder, fish oil, ginkgo, milk thistle, and plan to find the flax stuff. I give em some chicken or fish, the gravy from the boil, an egg each, and my bigun gets most of the potatoes. Am giving her Blue, Freedom line kibble. Its grain free, til I find a more suited variety

Replied by Jeff
Fresno
03/16/2018

What brand did you purchase. I am looking for some of the Phosphatidylserine and need a little help. You said to avoid the white powder.