Cushing’s disease in older dogs, the health condition that is sometimes referred to as hypercortisolism and hyperadrenocorticism, primarily strikes middle-aged and older dogs.
If treatment is not received, the consequences of untreated Cushing’s in dogs could be severe.
In this article, we will cover all you need to know about Cushing’s disease in older dogs, including the many forms, symptoms, treatments, and care options.
What Is Cushing’s disease in dogs?
When adrenal glands in an animal’s body create an excessive amount of cortisol (cortisone), a hazardous medical illness known as Cushing’s disease can develop. This ailment, also known as hyperadrenocorticism, affects dogs.
An excessive amount of cortisol puts a dog at risk for several dangerous ailments and illnesses, including renal damage and diabetes, both of which have the potential to be fatal.
A benign or malignant tumor in the pituitary gland, which is a pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain, is the most prevalent cause of Cushing’s disease in older dogs. This gland is positioned at the back of the head. In some extremely unusual instances, the tumor can be found on the adrenal glands, which are situated above the kidneys in the body.
The continuous use of steroids can lead to iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome, which is characterized by an abnormally high level of cortisol production.
What are the symptoms of Cushing’s disease?
Dogs affected by Cushing’s disease will exhibit at least one of the following signs, and in some cases, they will exhibit more than one:
• Increased appetite
• Seborrhea or oily skin
• Excessive thirst or drinking
• Frequent urination
• Thinning of the skin
• Early stage Cushing’s disease in dogs-skin lesions
• Hair loss or poor re-growth
• Blackheads
• Weakness in the muscles
• Enlarged abdomen
• Potbellied appearance
• Panting
• Firm, irregular plaques on the skin (called calcinosis cutis)
• Recurrent skin infections
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Sudden blindness
• Lethargy
If you notice any of these signs in your dog, you should call your veterinarian as soon as possible. Dogs affected by Cushing’s disease have a much higher likelihood of having renal damage, blood clots, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
How is Cushing’s disease diagnosed
To discover what may be causing your pet’s symptoms and to exclude other potential causes of illness, your veterinarian will do a physical exam and a few tests on your pet. Urinalysis, urine culture, a full blood panel, and/or a full chemical panel are some of the tests that might be performed, but this list is not exhaustive.
Tests of adrenal function, including low- and high-dose dexamethasone suppression tests, may be performed by your veterinarian. However, false-positive results are possible with adrenal function testing if another condition with similar clinical symptoms is present in the patient.
An ultrasound could be helpful in ruling out other diseases that could be the source of the symptoms that your dog is exhibiting. Tumors in the spleen or liver, bladder stones, gallbladder illness, gastrointestinal disease, and chronic inflammatory liver disease are some examples of other conditions that can cause symptoms that are similar to those of cirrhosis.
The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test is the gold standard for diagnosing Cushing’s disease. This examination gives your veterinarian a clear picture of the condition of your dog’s adrenal glands. However, this testing process can come with a high price tag.
How long do dogs with Cushing’s disease live?
Cushing’s disease in dogs prognosis is determined by the presence or absence of pituitary involvement as well as the nature of the tumor and whether it is benign or malignant.
Tumors of the Pituitary Gland
If the condition is brought on by a benign pituitary tumor, medical treatment may be able to provide long-term management along with an improved quality of life. Cushing’s disease in older dogs that occur in the pituitary gland have a median survival time of approximately two to two and a half years if they are treated with trilostane or mitotane.
The prognosis is not good if the pituitary tumor is huge and is affecting the brain as well as the structures that are surrounding it.
Adrenal Tumors
It is estimated that approximately fifty percent of adrenal tumors are benign and that their removal through surgery is curative. The remaining 50% of adrenal tumors are malignant, and the prognosis is not good for dogs with these tumors, particularly if they have already spread to other parts of the body at the time of diagnosis.
When an older dog is treated with trilostane, the median amount of time they will live is roughly one year. Dogs that have metastases of the main tumor, local invasion of the arteries, or a tumor that is longer than 5 centimeters have a worse prognosis than those that do not have any of these conditions.
What are the treatments for Cushing’s disease in dogs?
Medications that assist in decreasing the quantity of cortisone that is produced by the adrenal glands are typically used in the treatment of Cushing’s disease in dogs. The removal of the tumor is the only known cure for Cushing’s disease; however, given the difficulties and dangers associated with surgery, most dogs are managed with medication.
Treatments will be different depending on the specific form of Cushing’s disease that your dog has.
• Tumor of the pituitary gland: Cushing’s disease, which is dependent on the pituitary gland, is the most difficult to treat. Trilostane and mitotane are two medications that are frequently utilized.
• Adrenal tumor: The treatment of adrenal-dependent Cushing’s illness will typically include significant abdominal surgery. If the entire tumor can be removed and it is determined that the tumor does not contain cancerous cells, then there is a good probability that your dog will return to his usual state of health.
• Iatrogenic Cushing’s illness: The treatment involves gradually tapering off the steroid, which typically results in a recurrence of the disease that the steroid was treating in the first place. After beginning treatment with the medications, your dog will need to have ACTH stimulation tests on a regular basis at the veterinarian’s office until the excessive production of cortisone is brought under control. Throughout the course of your pet’s life, it is necessary to do routine monitoring of blood tests and adjust their medicine.
Do dogs with Cushing’s disease Suffer?
Many dogs diagnosed with Cushing’s disease are able to be successfully treated with relatively few adverse reactions to their medications. On the other hand, an incorrect dose can result in adverse effects ranging from mild to severe. Because of this, it is imperative that your pet undergo follow-up blood testing and be subjected to rigorous monitoring.
Dogs that are not subjected to sufficient monitoring and follow-up are more likely to suffer from relapses, severe illnesses, or even death because of the problems that arise.
Prevention of Cushing’s disease in older dogs
Unfortunately, Cushing’s disease cannot be avoided if it is brought on by a tumor in either the pituitary gland or the adrenal gland.
On the other hand, you can reduce your chances of getting iatrogenic Cushing’s disease by avoiding the use of steroids for an extended period. Proper nutrition is also an important part of a dog’s health. A dog with Cushing’s disease will always be starving and want you to feed them. Be sure to only feed them the recommended amount.
We learned of Cushing’s disease with the diagnosis of our dog Maddie, who is pictured in this article. She is currently being treated for Cushing’s. Her symptoms were losing a clump of hair on her tail, a pot belly, drinking a ton more of water each day, and a constant ravenous appetite.
Cushing’s disease in older dogs is a serious health problem and will change your dog’s personality and way of life as the symptoms show. In most cases it is treatable and can restore the personality of your dog and prolong their life.
Please see my articles on health issues with French Bulldogs and Eye Problems in French Bulldogs to get ideas on some health issues that can affect all dogs.
Be sure to also check out signs of eye problems in dogs that are common to most all dogs.
At Small Dog Living, dogs are family. See the AKC website for more information.
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