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Cushing's disease
Cushing's disease, otherwise referred to as Hyperadrenocorticism, can be managed well with life long medication.
Overview
Cushing's disease is a problem of middle-aged dogs (5-8 years) whereby the adrenal glands overproduce cortisol. Cortisol is the 'stress' hormone that regulates the body's response to stress including blood sugar levels. It tends to affect females more than males.
Breeds more commonly affected:
- Maltese
- Pomeranians
- Poodle
- Dachshund
- Boston Terrier
- Beagle
- German Shepherd
- West Highland White Terrier
- Springer Spaniel
- German Short Haired Pointer
- Basset Hound
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Signs
Common signs of Cushing's disease:
- Drinking more
- Urinating more
- Change in appetite
- Swollen abdomen
- Hair loss on the sides of the body
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Diarrhoea
- Urinary infection
- Muscle wasting or cramping
- Facial nerve paralysis
Causes
Common causes of Cushing's disease:
- Pituitary disease (85% of cases)
- Adrenal tumours (15% of cases)
The overdosing of glucocorticoid drugs can cause signs similar to that of Cushing's disease. This is referred to as Iatrogenic Cushing disease. Management involves the gradual decrease and discontinuation of steroid medication.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis may include a thorough history, physical examination, multiple blood tests, ultrasound, and urine tests. Other blood tests may require a hospital stay to perform the ACTH stimulation or LDDST blood test.
Management
Treatment of Cushing's disease involves:
- Ongoing medication if pituitary-dependent Cushing's disease
- Surgery or medication if adrenal tumours are present
Long-term medication will be given as a guide initially - regularly blood tests are required to help determine the right dose for your pet.
Complete remission is usually seen with hair regrowth within a few months.
Tips
As Cushing's dogs require long-term medication such as trilostane (Vetoryl) (or less likely mitotane (Lysodren)), your pet will be monitored for potential side effects such as:
- Off food
- Depression
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
These signs are usually seen within the first 2-3 weeks.
(Care must be taken when handling mitotane as it is a chemotherapeutic drug. Please follow instructions carefully. We mainly use trilostane these days though).