September 29, 2014

Customer Success Story: Golden Retrievers Improved in 1 Week!

Dawna N.- "I used the SeaBuck 7 Omega 7 Oil for Dogs & Cats on my two, older Golden Retrievers ages 10 and 12. They had both been very sedentary even though they live on a 30-acre property all fenced, so they had lots of room to roam. We also have two younger, active dogs, but the two older ones had no desire to play with them. After about a week on the oil, everyone noticed and commented on how active they were. They were running and playing with the other dogs, going on hikes and walks with us and just wagging their tails being happy. 'They were like puppies again'." 


September 24, 2014

Does Your Dog Have a Hormone Imbalance?

Has your dog been diagnosed with an endocrine (hormone) disorder, such as Cushing’s syndrome or hypothyroidism? If so, here is a brief overview of what you can do at home to help manage the side effects of these diseases.  The most commonly noticed problem associated with these hormone imbalances is skin disease. 

Low Thyroid Levels - Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism happens when your dog’s thyroid levels are too low. Experts still aren’t sure what exactly causes this condition - the thyroid gland simply stops making hormone in some, while others are caused by tumors or an autoimmune disease. This can happen from birth (very rare) or as your dog ages.  Low thyroid is most common for dogs around around 7 years of age. Many people notice that their dog becomes more lethargic and may get a little fatter. Skin changes are extremely common and some of these happen before other signs.  Hypothyroid dogs don’t typically have itchy skin, except when their skin is infected.  A few signs that your dog’s skin problem may be linked to low thyroid:

     Dull, dry hair coat
     Changes in hair color
     Dry skin - also known as “seborrhea”
     Hair loss along your dog’s sides and chest
     Hair loss on the tail - “rat tail” appearance
     Skin infections
     Yeast
     Bacteria
     Darkening of skin
     Bruising
     Delayed healing of wounds

High Cortisol Levels - Cushing’s Syndrome

High cortisol levels, technically called hyperadrenocorticism, happens in both dogs and horses. For simplicity’s sake, vets call it Cushing’s Syndrome. The way it happens in dogs is somewhat different than in horses but they can show similar symptoms.  Cushing’s happens when the dog’s adrenal glands make too much of the stress hormone, cortisol.  The adrenal glands are “controlled” by hormone signals from the pituitary gland in the brain.  If the pituitary gland is diseased, these signals get out of whack, and the adrenals produce too much cortisol.  Adrenal gland tumors can also cause increases in cortisol.  The most common signs of Cushing’s are weight gain, excessive water consumption, increased urination, increased appetite, weight gain or “pot belly” and skin changes. Like dogs with low thyroid, dogs with Cushing’s also are more prone to being itchy secondary to skin infection. Some of the skin changes are similar to those seen with low thyroid, with a few differences:

     Hair loss - especially along the sides of the trunk
     Seborrhea
     Hardening of the skin - calcinosis cutis
     Darkening of skin
     Blackhead formation
     Skin infections
     Bacteria
     Yeast
     Delayed healing of wounds

One of the common factors between skin disease in dogs with each of these endocrine diseases is seborrhea.  Seborrhea is the abnormal production (over production) of skin cells - producing excessively “scaly” skin and/or increasing oil secretions on the skin.  Seborrhea usually happens secondary to another problem, such as a skin infection, other dermatologic problem or an endocrine disorder.

With proper treatment, the skin signs of these disorders can be greatly diminished. Your veterinarian will prescribe a thyroid hormone supplement or a medication to bring down cortisol levels. Treatment should help control symptoms. However, for some that are not so well controlled or have skin infections - it is good to talk to your veterinarian about additional therapies.  Food therapy or including Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine techniques (acupuncture, herbs) can be helpful in bringing the body back into balance.  Supporting the skin through good, balanced home-prepared meals and supplements can also make a difference. A veterinary nutritionist can formulatea diet specifically for your pet if he or she has an endocrine disorder.


Omega essential fatty acid supplementation has been used for years to help treat a variety of skin conditions. Omega-7 is especially helpful in promoting and maintaining skin health; as it is an essential building-block that promotes collagen formation. Omega-7 oil can also help the skin retain moisture, which can be important in hypothyroid dogs, who often have dry skin.  The best souce of omega-7 is sourced from sea buckthorn berry and is also rich in other compounds that promote skin health, including antioxidants, vitamin E, and flavonoids. Talk to your veterinarian and see if supplementation with omega-3, omega-7 and omega-9 would fit into your dog’s treatment plan. If your dog is already taking an omega supplement - consider making a switch to a product like Seabuck 7 Omega 7 oil instead of a fish-based oil.  Sea buckthorn-sourced supplements are earth-friendly, fully sustainable, vegan and promotes wholefood based nutrition.