| Cushing's disease, also known as | | | | 2. increased eating, drinking and urination |
| hyperadrenocorticism, is the over secretion of cortisol | | | | 3. pot-bellied appearance |
| (stress hormone) in the body. It usually affects dogs | | | | 4. excessive panting |
| at the age of 6 years or older. Certain breeds such | | | | 5. thinner skin |
| as daschunds, terriers, golden retrievers, german | | | | 6. easily bruised |
| shepherds and poodles are more susceptible to | | | | 7. weakness or lethargy |
| Cushing's disease. | | | | 8. bladder infection |
| Types of Cushing's disease | | | | Diagnosis of canine Cushing's disease |
| There are 3 types of Cushing's disease: adrenal | | | | This disease is diagnosed from clinical symptoms, |
| tumor, pituitary tumor and iatrogenic. | | | | physical examination, blood and urine tests, ultrasound |
| Pituitary tumor - A tumor in the pituitary gland results | | | | and x-ray. Further laboratory tests may be |
| in the over production of hormone that stimulates | | | | conducted to confirm diagnosis and determine type |
| production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. This is | | | | of Cushing's disease. |
| the most common type of canine Cushing's disease. | | | | Treatment of Cushing's disease in dogs |
| Adrenal tumor- A tumor of the adrenal gland causes | | | | Cushing's disease caused by pituitary tumor is treated |
| over production of cortisol. This type of Cushing's | | | | with drugs (Mitotane, being the most common) that |
| disease occurs in a small percentage of dogs. | | | | destroy parts of adrenal cortex that produce cortisol. |
| Iatrogenic - This type of Cushing's disease is caused | | | | Careful monitoring is needed to ensure the correct |
| by over use of corticosteroids for treatment of | | | | drug dosage is given to restore normal level of |
| various ailments such as allergies, skin disorders and | | | | cortisol production. This is a lifelong medication, with |
| arthritis. Due to excessive corticosteroids in the | | | | regular checks on the dosage. |
| blood, adrenal glands fail to produce cortisol and | | | | Treatment of adrenal dependent Cushing's disease is |
| decrease in size. | | | | by surgical removal of the adrenal tumor. If the |
| Clinical symptoms of Cushing's disease in dogs | | | | tumor is benign, the dog can expect to recover fully. |
| The symptoms of Cushing's disease are: | | | | The prognosis is not good in the case of malignant |
| 1. hair loss | | | | tumor that has spread to other parts of the body. |