Cushing's Disease (hyperadrenocorticism) in dogs is a condition that results from the chronic overproduction of too much glucocorticoid in the body. In the normal dog, the pituitary gland produces a hormone called ACTH, which stimulates the adrenal gland to produce the glucocorticoid hormones necessary for the function of many systems in the body. If something goes wrong in the pituitary gland or adrenal gland and too much glucocorticoid is produced, then Cushing's disease develops. This is a very complicated disease with a wide range of symptoms and causes. This article will try to give a concise description of the disease, its symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and its treatment and Prevention.
Dog Cushing's Disease Symptoms
Dogs Cushing's Disease symptoms include, but are not limited to, excessive thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite, loss of muscle mass, lethargy, changes in coat, excess panting and more. Another indirect symptom to consider sometimes is the disappearance of previous health problems like inflammatory arthritis or less trouble with allergies. These things may actually improve due to the effect of the heavy amounts of cortisone being produced by the dog's body. Although, the idea of having other ailments disappear may sound good, it is important to note that excess cortisol, left unchecked, can still cause greater problems than those it might correct, including suppression of the immune system leading to development of infections, hypothyroidism, diabetes, kidney failure and other issues.
Dog Cushing's Disease Causes
The most common cause of hyperadrenocorticism is a benign (non-spreading) pituitary tumor. Malignant tumors of the pituitary, which metastasize through the body, are a less frequent cause for hyperadrenocorticism. An even less common cause is a tumor of the adrenal gland (adrenal tumor - AT), but when it does occur, it may be a benign tumor, or a malignant metastasizing tumor. Pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) includes tumors of the adrenal glands, as well as pituitary overgrowth.
Excessive glucocorticoid administration, which may be used for allergies, inflammation, or as a replacement therapy for low cortisone levels, can also cause hyperadrenocorticism in dogs.
Dog Cushing's Disease Diagnosis
1.Look for the early symptoms, such as the dog losing a good deal of hair and/or developing thin and fragile skin. Dogs with Cushings disease have adrenal glands that produce too much cortisol, which causes them to bruise easily. You will also notice the dog drinking and urinating much more than normal.
2.Take the dog to the vet if you notice the above symptoms. There are many tests the vet can perform to make a diagnosis of Cushings Disease. The first one he will perform is a blood test. (In fact, a blood test can pick up Cushings Disease even before any symptoms appear. That's why you should have a blood test done on an older dog at least once a year.)
3.Expect the vet to do a radiograph. This will help him determine how badly the dog's liver has been damaged. With Cushings Disease, the liver will become enlarged. Urinalysis will show an increase in the amount of glucose and protein, and there may be an infection. More likely, the exam will reveal a low specific gravity, a good indication of Cushings Disease.
4.Know that, if the dog has any of the skin conditions, the vet will do a skin biopsy, which will either indicate or rule out the possibility of Cushings Disease. This is not a decisive test, but the vet will decide how to proceed based on the results.
5.Understand that X-rays will be taken to see if the adrenal glands or other tissues have become calcified, and to check the density of the bones. Low bone density is another symptom of Cushings Disease. In most cases, the vet will perform a variety of these tests, as each one detects a different symptom; put together, they will give a definitive diagnosis.
6.Expect to have to administer various medications depending on the cause of the dog's Cushings Disease. If it is caused by a tumor of the pituitary gland, the vet will most likely prescribe Anipryl (L-Deprenyl). Another choice is Lysodren (Mitotane), which will kill off parts of the adrenal gland. Other treatments include Mitotane in combination with Prednisone. The dog needs to be carefully monitored when taking any of these medications. Ketaconazole can be used to reduce the amount of cortisol produced by the gland, but there are side effects. The vet also has the option to remove the glands, but this is usually done only as a last resort.
Dog Cushing's Disease Care
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium should be acclimated to supplement your dog's diet. The allowed arrangement accept to be additional to advice action Cushing's disease.If your dog is demography medication for Cushing's disease, be abiding to accommodate affluence of baptize and foods affluent in potassium. The anesthetic may bankrupt assertive nutrients in the body, which you accept to furnish through diet.Use beginning all-natural meat, eggs and vegetables as the base for your dog's diet. Raw aliment is best, as calefaction kills some of the amino acids, but you may accept to baker the ingredients.A diet for a dog with Cushing's Disease should abide of top levels of protein and low levels of fat, cilia and purine. Purine is mostly begin in beastly proteins and is beneath abounding in animal superior food.An adapted diet for a dog with Cushing's Disease includes top levels of protein; low levels of fat, cilia and purines; and able levels of potassium and sodium. Top levels of purines are begin in beef alarmist and kidneys. As always, beginning baptize should be accessible at all times. If possible, accommodate filtered water.
Dog Cushing's Disease Treatments
As mentioned earlier, canine cushing’s disease can be caused by a problem with either the adrenal or pituitary gland. Chemotherapy can be used to treat problems with both glands. Adrenal tumors can also be removed surgically. In most cases, treatment of this disease isn’t aimed at lengthening your dog’s lifespan. However, treatment focuses on improving your dog’s quality of life.
Depending on what's causing the Cushing's, treatment can range from surgery (in some tumor cases)to courses of treatment with Lysodren(the generic name for Lysodren is mitotane), Ketaconazole, Anipryl or Trilostane , all of which are described at the link below.
There is sometimes the medical need to either remove or destroy the adrenal glands through medication. This causes Addison's disease--a lack of enough cortisol, and means replacement cortisone medication must be taken for life.
Trilostane, known as Vetoryl when dispensed for veterinary purposes, and Modrenal, Desopan or Modrastane when prescribed for people, is the only approved treatment for Cushing's in the UK. It has yet to be approved for animals in the US. The drug is approved in the US for use in some human conditions--it is simply not available in the US.
One can now receive it under the Vetoryl brand name minus the FDA red tape from Master's Marketing in the UK. A prescription will be needed, even though the ordering process is easier. Masters also has importing and ordering procedure information on its website for residents of Canada, Australia, EU,and the UK. Dechra, also in the UK, is the exclusive distributor of the drug under the veterinary Vetoryl name. They are also a source of information for how to use the drug for veterinary purposes.
Dog Cushing's Disease Prevention
You can't prevent Dog Cushing's Disease, but with early treatment, you may prevent potential complications. treatment for spontaneous Cushing's syndrome includes medication to reduce blood cortisol levels (mitotane and ketoconazole) or to improve mind neurotransmitter balance (selegiline), or surgical treatment to remove the adrenal glands, that are located close to the kidneys. Your veterinarian will treat iatrogenic sickness by slowly reducing your dog's steroid treatment.
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