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