With aging a dog becomes more subjected to different diseases and other health problems. However, there’re a few major health conditions and diseases peculiar to the dogs of middle and elderly age. Dog Cushing's disease belongs to this group of health problems. Unfortunately, the signs and symptoms of this disease appear much later after the infection happens. But with the disease progress it becomes clear what a difficult disease the dag suffers from. That’s why, it's extremely important to define the disease on its earliest stage of development and to start proper treatment measures.
What is Dog Cushing's disease?
Dog Cushing's disease Syndrome is also called hyperadrenocorticism and it’s an endocrine illness resulting from the abundant production of cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone produced at the period when a dog is subjected to stress. It’s a normal phenomenon but if a dog has canine Cushing's disease, its adrenal glands constantly overproduce cortisol without any reasons including stress situations.
Danger of Dog Cushing's Disease
If the dog’s cortisol levels are always raised, the dog's organism is poisoned and the pet experiences numerous unpleasant health conditions, including high canine's blood pressure, problems with skin and hair, muscle weakness, weakness of the whole dog's immune system, etc. all of these problems don’t let the dog enjoy its life and do the easiest everyday activities. The canine’s immune system has no resourses to fight against other illnesses and diseases making the dog subjected to additional health problems.
Causes of Dog Cushing's Disease
The causes of dog Cushing's disease Syndrome are subdivided into three major groups. The first group includes continuous usage of steroid medications like the ones meant to treat allergic reactions and inflammation. If the dog’s hyperadrenocorticism results from the medical treatment, it’s considered to be iatrogenic Cushing's disease. Such an endocrine disorder may be also caused by the disease of the adrenal glands, for instance, by an adrenal gland tumor. And the third group of reasons of dog Cushing's Disease involves the presence of a tumor on the pituitary gland. The latter overstimulates the adrenal glands and, as a result, overproduces cortisol characteristic of this illness.
Symptoms
As it was mentioned earlier, the first signs and symptoms of dog Cushing's Disease are usually absent in the beginning. But in time, the symptoms are going to show themselves up in a more severe and serious form. The usual warning signs of dog Cushing's disease are as follows: increased thirst, and frequency of urination, avid appetite, heightened blood sugar, darkening of the skin, a sagging belly, loss of fur, different skin infections etc.
Diagnosis
In order to diagnose canine Cushing's disease a difficult process of taking numerous tests should be conducted as soon as possible. The following tests should be carried out: urinalysis, blood tests, and thyroid tests. Such imaging tools as x-rays and ultrasound may be needed. More seldom ACTH Stimulation Test or a low dose dexamethasone (LDD) test may be required.
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