Cushing's Disease in dogs

Cushing's disease in dogs, also known as hypercortisolism and hyperadrenocorticism, is a condition in which the adrenal glands produce excessive hormones, particularly cortisol. These glands, located near the kidneys, play a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions. Cortisol, essential for stress response, weight management, infection defence, and blood sugar regulation, becomes imbalanced in this condition.

Diagnosis can be challenging due to its similarity to other illnesses, requiring thorough consultation with a veterinarian. Treatment options include surgery or medication to control cortisol levels. If left untreated, Cushing's disease can pose significant health risks, especially for middle-aged and senior dogs.

Clinical signs of Cushing’s Disease in Dogs

Clinical signs of Cushing’s Disease in dogs typically involve increased appetite, thirst, and urination as a result of elevated cortisol levels. Additional symptoms may consist of lethargy, poor coat condition, a swollen abdomen, excessive panting, thin skin, frequent infections, darkened spots (discoloration), and calcinosis cutis (hard, irregular skin patches due to calcium deposits). This condition predominantly impacts older dogs, and detecting it early can be difficult.

Causes of Cushing’s Disease

Cushing’s disease in dogs can be caused by various factors. Certain breeds, such as Poodles, Dachshunds, Boston Terriers, Boxers, and Beagles, are more prone to this condition, often displaying symptoms after the age of eight.

There are three types of Cushing’s disease in dogs:

1. Pituitary dependent: This type, which is most common, results from a pituitary gland tumour that triggers excessive production of ACTH and leads to an overproduction of cortisol.

2. Adrenal gland tumour: Adrenal tumours, whether benign or malignant, contribute to Cushing’s disease by causing the adrenal glands to produce excess cortisol directly.

3. Iatrogenic Cushing’s disease: This form arises from excessive or prolonged use of corticosteroid medications, resulting in elevated cortisol levels above the normal range.

Accurately identifying the specific type of Cushing’s disease is crucial for customising treatment approaches and offering an accurate prognosis.

Treatments of Cushing's Disease

The treatment for Cushing's disease in dogs can vary depending on the underlying cause. Medications such as trilostane are often used to manage Cushing’s disease, especially in cases involving pituitary gland problems or adrenal tumours that cannot be removed. It is important to have regular check-ups and blood tests to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment. If Cushing's disease is caused by steroid use, gradually reducing the steroid dosage may be considered.

Treatment options for Cushing's disease also encompass radiation therapy, which can enhance neurological symptoms and prognosis, especially in cases of pituitary-dependent Cushing's disease. Pituitary tumours, which are prevalent in Cushing's disease, are typically treated with medication due to the complexities of surgical removal. Adrenal-based Cushing's disease, although uncommon, may require surgery, especially if the tumour is benign. Malignant tumours present greater challenges, and surgery may not provide a cure.

Following the initiation of treatment, symptoms of Cushing's disease should gradually improve, with a reduction in drinking noticed within a week, and skin lesions resolving over several months.

Prognosis for dogs with Cushing’s Disease

For dogs with Cushing's disease, the outlook varies depending on factors like tumour size and type. Treatment can effectively manage the disease for many years if the tumour is small, but a less positive outlook is expected if the tumour is large and affects the brain. Malignant adrenal tumours usually lead to a guarded to poor prognosis, while benign adrenal tumours often respond well to surgery, which can be curative. Overall, with accurate diagnosis, proper treatment, and careful monitoring, Cushing's disease in dogs can be well controlled, with many symptoms improving within weeks and skin/hair conditions getting better over several months.

In a crisis:

Immediately contact your vet if your dog exhibits symptoms such as excessive thirst, increased urination, weight gain, lethargy, muscle weakness, or a pot-bellied appearance, as these could be indicative of Cushing's disease. Detecting and treating it early is key for better management and prognosis.

It is vital to begin end-of-life care discussions before your dog‘s condition becomes unmanageable, or they begin losing their quality of life. 

Don’t wait until the very end. It’s important to consider your pet’s end-of-life journey early, so that you, your family and your pet are all supported through the process.

When the time comes, we’re here for you. Goodbye Good Boy provides a range of end-of-life services to make the difficult process of saying goodbye a little easier. 

We offer quality of life assessments from qualified vets, specialist grief counselling, at home euthanasia from dedicated end of life veterinarians, as well as cremation services and memorial options to help remember your pet for their unique character.

We are with you at every step of the journey.

To find out more, you can call our team of passionate pet lovers on 1800 953 619.