Is your dog developing a pot belly? Does he or she seem to be thirsty a lot and constantly starving, despite the fact that you haven't changed his or her diet? It's very possible, especially if your dog is older, that your pet is experiencing the symptoms of Cushing's disease. Read on to learn more.
What is Cushing's Disease?
Cushing disease is a form of hyperadrenocorticism. Much like in humans, a dog's adrenal functions are controlled by both a pituitary gland and an adrenal gland. When those glands malfunction, your dog's body can produce too much cortisol. Normally, cortisol helps your dog control his or her weight, fight infections, and keep his or her blood sugar levels under control. When there's too much cortisol being produced, however, your dog can develop some startling symptoms:
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sudden weight gain despite a steady diet
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a pot-bellied appearance
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back and shoulder fat
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fatigue and muscle weakness
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panting and excessive thirst
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hair loss
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constant hunger
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excessive urination (including indoors)
Cushing's is frequently caused by benign tumors on the pituitary gland, although it can also be caused by adrenal gland tumors as well. Another cause is over-medication with steroids, usually in an attempt to control a condition like allergies. Since the possibility of any of these conditions increases with age, Cushing's is most common in dogs 6 years of age and older.
How is Cushing's Treated?
Your veterinarian can run a blood test to determine not only if your dog is suffering from Cushing's, but also whether the source is from the pituitary or adrenal gland. If the cause is an adrenal tumor, surgical intervention at an animal hospital is possible. If the cause is due to a pituitary tumor or the result of too much medication, management is possible through medication only.
One of the complications of ongoing treatment, however, is that medication is designed to suppress cortisol to the point where your dog can actually develop Addison's disease, which is the opposite of Cushing's. If your dog develops Addison's, his or her cortisol levels can drop too low–causing an Addison's crisis, which can quickly become fatal. Addison's causes chronic vomiting, a loss of appetite, and rapid dehydration.
In order to make sure that your dog's cortisol levels stay within normal ranges, it will be necessary for your vet to routinely perform blood tests. You also need to keep a sharp eye out for any sudden, unusual symptoms and contact your vet immediately if you suspect a problem.
