CUSHING’S SYNDROME
WHAT IS CUSHING’S SYNDROME?
Most species of animals have naturally occurring cortisone in their bodies. A small pair of glands located near each kidney called the Adrenal Glands produces the cortisone. An excess of cortisone in the system is known as Cushing’s Syndrome.
WHAT CAUSES TOO MUCH CORTISONE?
Cushing’s Syndrome can occur naturally or as a temporary side effect of your pet receiving cortisone but will resolve once medication is withdrawn. In naturally occurring Cushing’s disease a minority of the dogs will have a tumour in one of the two adrenal glands. The majority have a small tumour at the base of the brain in an area called the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland controls the adrenal function. A tumour in the pituitary causes excess production of cortisone and results in the symptoms we see as Cushing’s.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CUSHINGS?
When Cushing’s occurs it may have varying symptoms. Not all dogs present with the same symptoms, but most have at least two or three of the more commonly observed abnormalities.
TESTING FOR CUSHINGS:
Examining the dog’s symptoms, doing an ultrasound of the abdomen and doing a specific hormone blood test known as an ACTH Stimulation test, makes the diagnosis for Cushing’s. This test is repeated at various stages. It takes approximately two hours and can give us an idea of your dog’s progress once on treatment.
TREATMENT OF CUSHINGS:
Treatment of this condition is vital to help restore a good quality of life to your dog.
Cushing’s is treated with a medication called Lysodren. Following diagnosis of the condition the patient is put onto an initial twice daily induction dose. This is continued for no more than 10 days. The key to treatment is to note your dog’s appetite and to stop the induction dose as soon as you notice any decrease in the appetite or drinking. Reduction in appetite may be noted as the dog taking longer to finish a meal, eating less than normal, wondering away and then returning to finish, or pausing to look up at the owner during meals. As soon as ANY decrease in appetite or drinking is seen please stop the induction dose of medication, and contact us to organise a day to come in for a blood test. If this is over the weekend, the test can be done on the Monday. If the blood results are satisfactory your dog will be placed onto a maintenance dose of the Lysodren medication for life.
Lysodren is an unregistered medication used under special license from the Medicine Countrol Council. We will need to see your dog on a regular basis to monitor its progress. Due to the laws involved regarding unregistered medications we need to see your dog at least once every 6 months once adequate control of your dog’s condition has been obtained so that we can report back to the Medicine Control Council.
(Reference: Ettinger & Feldman – Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine 6th Edition)
Most species of animals have naturally occurring cortisone in their bodies. A small pair of glands located near each kidney called the Adrenal Glands produces the cortisone. An excess of cortisone in the system is known as Cushing’s Syndrome.
WHAT CAUSES TOO MUCH CORTISONE?
Cushing’s Syndrome can occur naturally or as a temporary side effect of your pet receiving cortisone but will resolve once medication is withdrawn. In naturally occurring Cushing’s disease a minority of the dogs will have a tumour in one of the two adrenal glands. The majority have a small tumour at the base of the brain in an area called the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland controls the adrenal function. A tumour in the pituitary causes excess production of cortisone and results in the symptoms we see as Cushing’s.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CUSHINGS?
When Cushing’s occurs it may have varying symptoms. Not all dogs present with the same symptoms, but most have at least two or three of the more commonly observed abnormalities.
- Excess urination and increased water consumption: dogs may urinate for longer time periods or they urinate more frequently. There may also be leakage of urine during sleep. The increased urination is accompanied by increased thirst.
- Voracious appetite: the increase in cortisone causes the dog to be hungrier than normal. Monitoring their appetite is important in the treatment of their condition.
- Loss of hair with no re-growth: Hair loss is most commonly observed along the back, sides, and tail and on the backs of the hind legs. The coat may become thin or there could be a complete hair loss resulting in patches of baldness.
- Muscle weakness and lethargy: Dogs with Cushing’s may have difficulty jumping, climbing stairs, and rising after they have been sitting or lying down or tiredness after going on walks. The muscle weakness can also result in the “pot-bellied” appearance quite commonly seen.
- Thinning of the skin and skin infections
- Panting
- Increased liver size on abdominal palpation
TESTING FOR CUSHINGS:
Examining the dog’s symptoms, doing an ultrasound of the abdomen and doing a specific hormone blood test known as an ACTH Stimulation test, makes the diagnosis for Cushing’s. This test is repeated at various stages. It takes approximately two hours and can give us an idea of your dog’s progress once on treatment.
TREATMENT OF CUSHINGS:
Treatment of this condition is vital to help restore a good quality of life to your dog.
Cushing’s is treated with a medication called Lysodren. Following diagnosis of the condition the patient is put onto an initial twice daily induction dose. This is continued for no more than 10 days. The key to treatment is to note your dog’s appetite and to stop the induction dose as soon as you notice any decrease in the appetite or drinking. Reduction in appetite may be noted as the dog taking longer to finish a meal, eating less than normal, wondering away and then returning to finish, or pausing to look up at the owner during meals. As soon as ANY decrease in appetite or drinking is seen please stop the induction dose of medication, and contact us to organise a day to come in for a blood test. If this is over the weekend, the test can be done on the Monday. If the blood results are satisfactory your dog will be placed onto a maintenance dose of the Lysodren medication for life.
Lysodren is an unregistered medication used under special license from the Medicine Countrol Council. We will need to see your dog on a regular basis to monitor its progress. Due to the laws involved regarding unregistered medications we need to see your dog at least once every 6 months once adequate control of your dog’s condition has been obtained so that we can report back to the Medicine Control Council.
(Reference: Ettinger & Feldman – Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine 6th Edition)