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Pet Article
DOGS AND CUSHINGS DISEASE
A hormone essential for normal body function is called Cortisol. It is released in times
of illness, stress, pain and injury. It helps the body to cope with stressful events.
If an excessive amount of Cortisol is produced within the body it could have a harmful, or
even fatal effect.
Cortisol is a steroid hormone which is released by the adrenal glands. In dogs, especially
older dogs, the adrenal glands secrete excess cortisol due to either a tumor in the
pituitary gland of the brain or a tumor in the adrenal glands themselves. The tumor then
results in the production of large amounts of cortisol, in excess of what the body needs.
This condition is known as CUSHINGS DISEASE.
The incidence of the two types of Cushing's disease can vary with dog breed and
body size. Smaller breed dogs tend to get tumors of the pituitary gland, whereas larger
breed dogs are more likely to develop tumors of the adrenal gland. In both cases, an excess
amount of cortisol is released into the body, which can cause many problems. Cortisol can
reduce the ability of the kidneys to reabsorb water, which in turn causes the loss of large
amounts of water in the urine. This means that a dog with Cushing's disease may urinate
much more than it usually does and may drink larger amounts of water as usual in an attempt
to replace the water lost by the kidneys. Some dogs also become ravenously hungry as a result
of excess cortisol on the appetite centers of the brain.
Having excess steroids in the system over a long period can cause muscle wasting,
redistribution of body fat and an enlarged liver, resulting in the classic pot bellied
appearance seen in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism. Symmetrical hair loss in the trunk area
can also occur as a result of the effects of excess cortisol on the hair follicles.
Other skin problems such as thinning of the skin, fragile skin and infections of the skin,
are due to the effect of cortisol on immune function.
Complications of Cushings disease include increased risk of infection, high
blood pressure, congestive heart failure, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus and
blood clotting abnormalities. If the disease is left untreated, the animal will
most likely succumb to the disease and its complications.
Many treatments are available for dogs who develop Cushings disease. If the disease is caused
by a tumor of the adrenal glands, the best treatment is surgical removal of the tumor.
If this is not possible, for example, if the tumor has spread to other tissues (metastasized),
then oral medications are available that can temporarily decrease the amount of cortisol
produced.
Tumors of the pituitary gland can be either large (macroadenomas) or small (microadenomas).
The large tumors are rare and treated with radiation therapy, usually followed by oral
medication. The microadenomas are typically treated with oral medication alone. Because the
pituitary gland is located in the brain, surgery is not usually recommended.
Regardless of breed, treatment can often help your beloved pet live longer,
extending its lifespan by an average of 18 months. If you have a dog that is showing signs of
Cushings disease, you should contact your local veterinarian. Treatment for any disease usually
works best if the problem is caught early on.
Mark Woodcock
1 Flea Control
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