Canine Cushings

Does it seem that suddenly your dog is always hungry, losing hair and maybe even sometimes forgetting his/her housebreaking? Have you thought these are just signs of old age or that your dog is just being stubborn? It may not be old age or bad manners as the above symptoms are just three of the many symptoms of Canine Cushing’s disease, a serious illness that seems to be becoming more and more common in dogs of all ages these days.

About Cushing’s Disease
•    Cushing's disease, also referred to as Hyperadrenocorticism, is usually diagnosed in middle aged or senior dogs but it now seems that it’s being diagnosed in dogs of all ages. It occurs when a dog's body produces excessive amounts of cortisol, a steroid hormone that is made and stored in the adrenal glands.  Normal amounts of cortisol aid the dog's body in times of stress, too much cortisol can weaken the immune system

Different Types Of Canine Cushing
•    Cushing's disease can be either pituitary-dependent, adrenal-dependent or even vet induced.
•    Pituitary-dependent Cushing's, the most common form of the disease, happens when a small tumor is growing on the pituitary gland causing the gland to send a signal to the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.
•    Adrenal-dependent Cushing's, a tumor on one or more of the dog's adrenal glands causing it to overproduce the cortisol steroid.
•    Vet-induced Cushing’s, which occurs when a dog has been given too much steroid medication to treat another illness.

Symptoms
•    Excessive thirst and urination
•    Increased appetite
•    Excessive panting
•    Heat intolerance (always seem to be looking for a cool place to lie down such as on tiled flooring)
•    Muscle stiffness
•    Lethargy
•    Skin and urinary tract infections
•    Potbellies
•    Hair loss from the trunk of their bodies and from their tails
•    Skin may become thinner than normal and they may bruise easily.

Diagnosis

Once Cushing's disease is suspected your Veterinarian can run a blood test to confirm.  Once diagnosed, your Veterinarian will conduct a test to determine what type of Cushings your dog has.
    
Approximately 85 percent of Canine Cushings is caused by a pituitary tumor. Pituitary-induced Cushing's can be treated by drug therapy, but it cannot be cured. Adrenal gland tumors can often be surgically removed. Your vet stopping the steroid treatments can cure vet-induced Cushing’s.

Left untreated, Cushing's disease will progress and can lead to life-threatening disorders such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, liver and kidney failure, and to chronic conditions such as hypothyroidism and infections of the skin, ears, gums, eyes, or bladder. If your pet exhibits any of the early signs of Cushing's, make an appointment with your vet right away. Again, pituitary Cushing's disease cannot be cured, but the treatments available can prolong your pet's quality of life and keep him around for years longer. If an adrenal tumor is causing the disease, surgery may be indicated. Either way, it's better to get started on treatment.

I would urge you to visit the Canine Cushings interactive forum I mentioned in the About Me section of this blog prior to starting any treatment with your dog, it could save your dogs life to be as informed as you can be on this disease so you can better communicate with your Vet.

Canine Cushings interactive forum:  www.K9cushings.com