My Unexpected Tripawd
Food is medicine — a truth Ory, my dog, showed me at 11. Overweight and stuck on kibbles, his health was failing.
I tried adding veggies, chicken, fish, and eggs, but he rejected some. I thought small changes would fix things, but I was wrong.
Over time, Ory developed severe itching and would bite his paws until they bled. We visited several vets, who only gave him creams — nothing really worked.
Eventually, I decided to do a blood test, as it had been two years since his last one. The results were concerning:
He even developed a heart murmur, and the vet suspected Cushing’s disease. The tests the vet recommended were complicated, costly — around $300–$400 every couple of months — and there was no guarantee they would give a clear answer. I felt really worried. I had just graduated from university, my savings were slim, and Ory would have to go through repeated vet visits with uncertain results.
The vet explained that if Cushing’s was confirmed, medications like trilostane could help reduce cortisol production, or in some cases mitotane might be used. But even these treatments aren’t a magic fix — they require ongoing monitoring with regular blood tests to check cortisol levels, liver function, and overall health, and sometimes they don’t work as expected. There are also risks if the disease goes untreated, like worsening heart problems, urinary issues, and skin infections.
It was overwhelming to think about — the uncertainty of diagnosis, the cost of treatment, and the worry about Ory’s quality of life. Still, I knew that careful monitoring and attention would be crucial to helping him stay healthy.
I decided to take a natural approach:
He was strictly on his new diet for the following months.
At first, Ory’s skin reacted — there was pus and increased itching — but soon, he stopped biting his paws
The transformation wasn’t instant. Over the months, I noticed small improvements — his skin became calmer, his weight improved, and his energy increased.
With consistency, these changes added up. About a year later, Ory’s skin was healthier, his weight was in a normal range, and he was much more comfortable.
His latest blood test showed significant improvement confirming that changes truly worked.
A total 180° turnaround! More energy, happier mood, and healthier skin.