How to Diagnose Cushing's disease in Dogs

Cushing's disease is also known as hyperadrenocorticism, and can be fatal. While any dog can become a victim, it is most prevalent in beagles, Boston terriers, boxers, dachshunds, poodles, and Yorkshire terriers.

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 Cushing's 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 Cushing's disease. The first one he will perform is a blood test. (In fact, a blood test can pick up Cushing's 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 Cushing's 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 Cushing's 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 Cushing's 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 Cushing's 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 Cushing's 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.