Cushing's disease is a serious condition in dogs that may lead to severe, sometimes life-threatening illnesses and secondary conditions. Our vets often diagnose cases of Cushing's disease. Learn more about the condition, its symptoms and potential treatments.
What is Cushing's Disease in dogs?
Also known as hyperadrenocorticism, Cushing's disease is a serious health condition that happens when a dog's adrenal glands produce an excessive amount of cortisol within the body. Too much cortisol can leave a dog at risk for several serious illnesses and conditions that can turn life-threatening, from diabetes to kidney damage.
The disease is commonly caused by a benign or malignant tumor in the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain. In some cases, the tumor may be located on the adrenal glands, which are just above the kidneys.
Excessive cortisol can also result from the prolonged use of steroids, called iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome.
What are the symptoms of Cushing’s disease in dogs?
There are some common symptoms of Cushing's disease in dogs. They include:
- Panting
- Muscle weakness
- Enlarged abdomen, often with a potbellied appearance
- Lethargy
- Frequent urination
- Hair loss
- Thinning of the skin
- Excessive thirst or drinking
- Increased appetite
You will see at least one of these symptoms if your dog has Cushing's disease. That said, it is uncommon for all of these symptoms to be present.
If your dog is exhibiting any of the symptoms above, It's critical to contact your vet immediately. Dogs with Cushing's disease are at increased risk of blood clots, high blood pressure, kidney damage and diabetes.
How is Cushing’s disease diagnosed?
Your vet will do a physical exam and run a few tests to determine what may be causing your pet's symptoms and to rule out other health problems. The tests can include, but are not limited to, urinalysis, urine culture, complete blood panel, and a full chemistry panel.
Your vet may run adrenal function tests. However, these diagnostic tests can result in false positives when another disease with similar clinical signs is present.
An ultrasound may help to rule out other conditions that could be causing your dog’s symptoms. Other diseases that may cause similar symptoms include tumors in the spleen or liver, bladder stones, gallbladder disease, gastrointestinal disease, and chronic inflammatory liver disease.
The most effective diagnostic testing for Cushing’s disease is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which allows your vet to assess your dog’s adrenal glands. However, this testing method can be expensive.
What are the treatments for Cushing’s disease in dogs?
Cushing's disease in dogs is typically treated with medications that help decrease the amount of cortisone that the adrenal glands produce. The only way to cure Cushing's disease is to remove the tumor. However, because of the complexity and risks of surgery, most cases are treated with medication.
Treatments will vary depending on the type of Cushing’s disease your dog has.
Pituitary tumor. Treatment of pituitary-dependent Cushing’s disease is the most complicated. Two drugs, trilostane and mitotane are commonly used.
Adrenal tumor. Treatment of an adrenal-dependent Cushing’s disease usually requires major abdominal surgery. If the entire tumor is able to be removed and the tumor is not malignant, there is a good chance that your dog will regain normal health.
Iatrogenic Cushing’s disease. Treatment requires gradual discontinuation of the steroid, usually resulting in a recurrence of the disease that was being treated by the steroid.
After starting the medication treatments, your dog will need to see the vet regularly for ACTH stimulation tests until the excessive production of cortisone is controlled.
Over the lifetime of your pet, routine monitoring of blood tests and medication adjustments need to be made.
Is Cushing's disease fatal in dogs?
The cause of your dog's Cushing's disease as well as the conditions your pup develops that are linked to the disease are going to impact your pet's prognosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for limiting the severity of the disease.
The impact of the symptoms of Cushing’s disease can be minimized with attentive care and long-term management.
Most dogs can be successfully treated with few medication side effects. However, the wrong dose can cause mild or severe side effects. Therefore, your pet must be carefully monitored and follow-up blood tests are essential.
Dogs who do not receive adequate monitoring and follow-up often experience relapses, severe illness or death, as a result of complications.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.