Coping With Cushings Disease in Your Dog

Cushings Disease usually affects middle-aged and older dogs. The symptoms of Cushings are often similar to the signs of old age so many dogs with Cushings may go untreated. Owners who have dogs with these symptoms may assume that their dogs are simply getting old and they may have them put to sleep sooner than is necessary. Cushings Disease is treatable and treatment can add several years to an older dog's life.

The symptoms of Cushings Disease may include the following:

1. Increase water intake

2. Increased urination

3. Urinary accidents

4. Increased appetite

5. The emergence of food guarding problems or begging

6. A bloated appearance

7. The appearance of weight gain

8. The appearance of weight loss

9. A bony look to the head

10. Lethargy

11. Weakness in the hind legs

12. Reluctance to jump up on furniture

13. Extra panting and seeming to be hot

14. Thinning hair on both sides of the body

15. Dry, dull coat

16. Slow regrowth of hair after grooming

17. Wrinkled or dark pigmented skin

18.Increase in infections such as skin infections or urinary infections

19. Occurrence of diabetes, pancreatitis, or seizures

Any of these symptoms may also be associated with other health problems but, taken together, they can indicate Cushings Disease, especially in elderly dogs.

The usual cause of Cushings Disease is the presence of a tiny tumor on the pituitary gland. This tumor produces a chronic excess of cortisol in the blood which, in turn, may cause an imbalance in blood sugar levels, the body's fat metabolism, interfere with skeletal muscles, kidney function, the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, and even depress the immune system response.

Older dogs are much more likely to get Cushings. The average age of a canine Cushings patient is 10 years old. Spayed and neutered dogs are somewhat more likely to get Cushings. Small dogs are more likely to develop Cushings -- some 75 percent of cases are found in dogs that weigh less than 44 pounds.

There are several tests used to detect Cushings. Once detected, there are several possible treatments for Cushings Disease. They can include surgery to remove the tumor, radiation, and treatment with drugs such as Lysodren.

Left untreated, the prognosis for a patient with Cushings is not very good. These dogs are prone to various infections and various organs may begin to shut down. However, if the disease is treated there is every reason to expect the dog to begin recovering and to live out life to a great old age.

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