CUSHING'S DISEASE-- Cushing's disease is the
result of the overproduction of cortisone, a natural steroid hormone, by the adrenal glands located just above the kidneys. It is rare in dogs under five years
old. In about 80 percent of the dogs the disease is caused by a
lesion in the pituitary gland at the base of the brain that over stimulates
the adrenals, while in about 20 percent of cases one
of the adrenal glands itself will have a tumor that excretes cortical
independent of what's happening in the body. About half of
those tumors are malignant and spread, and about half of them are
benign and generally tend to stay small. Spontaneous Cushing's
Syndrome occurs primarily in middle-aged and older dogs, although dogs
of all ages can be affected.
The symptoms of
Cushing's disease can also appear if a dog is taking steroids for a
medical condition and ends up with too much in his system. Steroids
are found in a lot of creams, eye ointments and ear ointments, and
if you get overzealous with their administration, that can cause
these signs as well. When you stop using the products, these
symptoms will go away. This is referred to as iatrogenic
Cushing's syndrome.
The typical signs of Cushing's disease
are
- increased thirst and
urination
- panting
- bilaterally
symmetrical hair loss
- infertility in
females
- testicular
atrophy in males
- pot-bellied
abdomen
- weakness and
muscle loss
- lethargy with
reduced activity
Other
complications can include susceptibility to infections, high blood
pressure, congestive heart failure, blood clots, behavioral changes and
seizures.
The diagnosis is
based on laboratory tests.
Cushings is
treated with medication.
Information
from the Dog owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, and 5-minute veterinary
consult book
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