| When unexplainable lumps and bumps, increased | | | | Bull Terriers, Silky Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers, |
| appetite, bulging stomach, and loss of hair strike | | | | Dachshunds, Poodles (toy, miniature, and |
| your canine, the cause of concern may lead to a | | | | standard) and Boston Terriers are all considered a |
| diagnosis of Cushing's disease. The condition that | | | | high-risk breed for the disease. When it comes to |
| seems to develop in middle age to older dogs is | | | | adrenal gland tumors, female dogs are more |
| characterized by malfunctioning pituitary or adrenal | | | | vulnerable. The disease is also common in dogs |
| glands or the overproduction of corticosteroids. | | | | that are older than five years old. |
| The disease is also triggered by tumors in the | | | | Getting to the Bottom of Cushing's Disease |
| adrenal or pituitary glands. Overall, Cushing's | | | | Once a pet owner suspects Cushing's disease, a |
| disease is a complex condition that brings about a | | | | veterinarian can diagnose the problem with a |
| wide-range of symptoms and isn't easily detected | | | | blood test. Later, they can pinpoint the cause of |
| by the average pet owner. | | | | the condition (pituitary or adrenal gland issues). |
| Signs and Symptoms | | | | Nearly 85% of all Cushing's disease cases are |
| Unlike typical dog ailments, Cushing's disease is | | | | caused by tumors in the pituitary glands, which |
| quite tricky, as a pet owner is most often | | | | are treatable with drugs. There is no cure for this |
| unaware of the onset of this condition. The | | | | instance of the disease, while adrenal gland tumors |
| common signs that alert an owner that something | | | | are surgically removable. |
| is wrong with a dog do not take place, such as | | | | Cushing's Disease Treatment |
| visible pain, diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, or bleeding. | | | | The main drugs used to treat Cushing's disease |
| Usually, a pet owner simply writes off the | | | | are called Lysodren, Ketoconazole, and Anipryl. |
| common symptoms of Cushing's disease as the | | | | Lysodren combats the outer layer of the adrenal |
| normal course of getting older. | | | | gland to regulate the amount of corticosteroids |
| For example, the muscle weakness connected to | | | | that the body produces. Ketoconazole suppresses |
| Cushing's disease causes a dog to exercise less | | | | cortisol secretions within the adrenal glands, but |
| and become sluggish. These are typical signs of an | | | | can only treat about 75 to 80% of all cases. |
| aging dog; therefore owners usually dismiss these | | | | Anipryl rejuvenates the natural balance of |
| symptoms. A visit to a veterinarian often doesn't | | | | chemicals in the brain to decrease Cushing's |
| come until the signs become too unbearable. For | | | | disease symptoms and often delivers a high |
| instance, a dog may act completely out of | | | | success rate. |
| character, such as displaying an uncharacteristic | | | | Long Term Effects |
| lapse in housetraining. The typical pooch suffering | | | | If the disease is left untreated, the condition will |
| the effects of Cushing's disease showcases a | | | | worsen and eventually threaten the life of the |
| saggy belly, which is caused by dwindling muscle | | | | dog with the development of additional disorders, |
| strength. As the condition worsens, a dog may | | | | including diabetes, kidney failure, congestive heart |
| lose hair. Additionally, the skin starts to thin and | | | | failure, and infections that attack the ears, eyes, |
| becomes less resistant to infection. | | | | bladder, or skin. Whenever it becomes apparent |
| When it comes to Cushing's disease, there are | | | | that your dog is suffering from Cushing's disease, |
| certain dogs that fall under a high-risk category. | | | | immediate medical attention is a must. |