Cushing's disease is a serious health condition that causes an increase in the amount of cortisol produced by the body. This can have a detrimental effect on their health and bodily functions. Our Crystal Lake vet specialists discuss the effects of Cushing's disease on dogs, what the life expectancy is, and the potential treatment options.
What is Cushing's disease in dogs?
Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism) is a serious health condition that causes the adrenal glands to produce an excessive amount of cortisol (cortisone) in the body, which can leave a dog at risk for several serious conditions and illnesses ranging from diabetes to kidney damage. It can also be life-threatening.
Also sometimes referred to as Cushing's syndrome, this condition is often 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 sit just above the kidneys.
Cushing's Disease in Dogs: Symptoms
Common signs of Cushing's disease in dogs include:
- Panting
- Lethargy
- Increased appetite
- Thinning of the skin
- Excessive thirst or drinking
- Hair loss
- Enlarged abdomen, potbellied appearance
- Frequent urination
You'll notice your dog displaying at least one of these symptoms if they have Cushing's disease. However, it's uncommon for all of these signs to be present.
It's critical to contact your vet right away if your dog is displaying any of the symptoms listed above. Dogs with Cushing's disease have an increased risk of blood clots, high blood pressure, kidney damage, and diabetes.
Stages of Cushing's Disease in Dogs
While there are no definitive stages of Cushing's disease in dogs, the effects will develop gradually over time.
If we break these effects down into groups, they may look something like these 'stages':
Stage 1: You may notice that your dog is drinking more water and urinating more frequently.
Stage 2: Your dog may be losing some of their fur and noticeably gaining weight.
Stage 3: The muscles on your dog may be wasting away and they may have a potbellied appearance.
Stage 4: At this point, your dog may be weak and have difficulties walking. They may also be showing signs of a skin condition resulting in hard lumps or lesions on the skin.
How is Cushing's disease diagnosed?
Your veterinarian will perform a physical exam and run appropriate tests to determine the cause of your pet's symptoms and to rule out other health issues. These tests may include but are not limited to, a complete blood panel, urine culture, urinalysis, and/or full chemistry panel.
Your vet may order adrenal function tests, testing adrenal low-dose and high-dose dexamethasone suppression tests. That said, adrenal function tests can give false positives when another disease with similar clinical symptoms is present.
An ultrasound may help to rule out other conditions that could potentially be causing your dog's symptoms. Other diseases that can cause similar symptoms include bladder stones, gallbladder disease, chronic inflammatory liver disease, gastrointestinal disease, and tumors in the liver or spleen.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows your vet to examine your dog's adrenal glands, making it the most effective diagnostic test for Cushing's disease. However, this method of testing can be expensive.
If necessary, your primary vet may refer your dog to a specialty animal hospital such as ours for further diagnostic testing or more in-depth treatment.
At CASE Hospital, our veterinary specialists are trained to diagnose and treat a range of health conditions. We have access to diagnostic imaging tools and treatment methods to identify and manage these issues.
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 can 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.
Cushing's Disease in Dogs: Prognosis
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 symptoms of Cushing’s disease can be minimized with diligent observation 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 and 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.