subject: What is Cushing's Disease in Dogs? [print this page] What is Cushing's Disease in Dogs? What is Cushing's Disease in Dogs?
Cushing's disease in dogs is one of the most overlooked of the dog diseases, as the symptoms are often mistaken to be a natural part of a dog's aging process. Also referred to as hyperadrenocorticism, it is possible to improve your dogs health and cure Cushing's disease in dogs, but it is first important that you recognize the symptoms. Some of the most common of the lot are:
An increase intake of water
An increased frequency and quantity of urination (this may include having your dog pee inside the house when this was previously not an issue)
An increased appetite, which may result in food stealing and begging
A pot belly or bloated abdomen
Weight gain
Lethargy
Excessive panting
A dull, dry coat and thinning hair
Calcified lumps on the skin
Diabetes
Pancreatitis in dogs
Seizures
The real tip off when it comes to Cushing's disease in dogs is usually an owner noticing that their pet is drinking a whole lot more water than he or she used to, and for no understandable reason (i.e. you did not just go for a 10 mile jog, but your dog is drinking water as if he just had).
What Causes Cushing's Disease in Dogs?
There are three reasons why Cushing's disease in dogs occurs: veterinary/medical interference, meaning that your dog may have been prescribed too much of a steroidal treatment, a pituitary tumor, or an adrenal tumor. In all three cases, too much cortisol is in the dog's blood, which is actually poisoning your pet.
How is Cushing's Disease in Dogs treated?
The treatment of the disease really depends on what is causing the problem. As with the medical or veterinary interference mentioned above, the simple answer would be to stop administering those medications to your dog. When it comes to pituitary and adrenal tumors, one of the best ways to treat Cushing's disease in dogs is to have your dog undergo several sessions of chemotherapy. As with adrenal tumors, it is possible that the tumor can be surgically removed, which will put a stop to the disease.
The goal of any treatment is to improve the quality of your dogs health rather than extend his or her life. The sad truth is that the life expectancy of a dog with Cushing's disease is shorted from 1 to 3 years, but as long as you give your dog a comfortable life, then you have done your part as a caring dog owner.
