Cushing's disease or Hyperadrenocorticism is a common disease highly prevalent in middle age and older dogs. The average canine cushing's patient age is 10 years. It occurs either due to the formation of a tumor of the adrenal gland or the stimulation of normal adrenal glands by the hormones that are supposed to control it. The stimulation occurs due to the pituitary gland tumor which produces excessive ACTH which in turn induces the production of cortecosteroids leading to the condition referred to as Hyperadrenocorticism.
The commonly exhibited symptoms during such conditions are increased drinking, increased urination, increased appetite, loss of hair, panting, high blood pressure, thickening of skin, calcified lumps in the skin, bruised skin, susceptibility to infections, weakening of vital organs and skeletal muscle and nervous system disease.
Diagnosis can be done through a low dose dexamethasone test. The treatment depends on whether the tumor is adrenal or pituitary. Non surgical treatments are most common in canine cushing's disease although surgical option is a viable option for adrenal tumor.
Cushing's disease is a progressive disease. If your pet is suffering from it, you need to be alert and constantly monitor it and adjust medication dosages accordingly under the guidance of a vet.
Cushings disease is not contagious and does not put other pets at risk.
