Dogs have shared life with us for thousands of years. More and more of us have a great furry friend in our home, or more than one, with whom we want to share everything. But we have to be consistent and realize the responsibility that comes with a relationship with an animal that, as a living being, has its rights. We must not only give him love and feed him, but we have to cover all his physical and psychological needs as a puppy, adult or elderly.
Surely if you are the happy and responsible companion of a dog, you will have already informed yourself about the most common diseases in dogs. In this article on our site, we bring you information about the he alth of these fantastic companions. Specifically, we will talk about cushing's syndrome in dogs, its symptoms and causes, as well as offering you more related information. Read on to find out how this syndrome affects our furry friends and what to do about it.
What is cushing's syndrome in dogs?
Cushing's syndrome, also called hyperadrenocorticism, is an endocrine (hormonal) disease that occurs when the body produces high levels of the hormone cortisol on a chronic basis. Cortisol is produced in the adrenal glands, located near the kidneys.
An adequate level of cortisol helps our body respond normally to stress, allows us to balance our body weight, have a good tissue and skin structure, etc. On the other hand, when the body experiences an increase in cortisol and there is an overproduction of this hormone, the immune system is weakened and the body becomes exposed to possible infections and diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. This hormone in excess can also damage many different organs, significantly reducing the vitality and quality of life of the animal that suffers from this syndrome.
In addition, the symptoms are easily confused with those caused by normal aging. For this reason, many dogs are not diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome since the symptoms go unnoticed by some owners of older dogs. It is vital to detect symptoms as soon as possible, perform all possible tests until the origin of Cushing's syndrome is diagnosed and treat it as soon as possible.
Causes of hyperadrenocorticism in dogs
There is more than one origin or cause of Cushing's syndrome in dogs. Specifically, there are three possible causes that may be causing the overproduction of cortisol:
- Hypophysis or pituitary gland malfunction.
- Adrenal or adrenal gland malfunction.
- Iatrogenic origin, secondary to treatment with glucocorticoids, corticosteroids and progesterone-containing drugs and derivatives to treat certain diseases in dogs.
As we have already mentioned, the adrenal glands produce the hormone cortisol, so a problem in these can trigger cushing in dogs. But the adrenal glands are, in turn, controlled by the hormone that is secreted in the pituitary gland or hypophysis, which is located in the brain. Therefore, a problem in the pituitary gland can also cause uncontrolled cortisol levels. Lastly, glucocorticoids and other medications are used to treat certain diseases in dogs, but if they are misused, for example in contraindicated states or in very high quantities or times, they can end up producing Cushing's syndrome because they alter cortisol production; This is the case of Cushing's syndrome in dogs due to corticosteroids.
It can be said that the most common origin of Cushing's syndrome or hyperadrenocorticism in dogs, between 80-85% of cases, is normally a tumor or a hypertrophy in the pituitary gland which secretes too much ACTH hormone and causes the adrenal glands to produce more cortisol than normal. Another less frequent form, between 15-20% of cases, occurs in the adrenal glands, usually due to a tumor or hyperplasia. Iatrogenic origin is much less common.
It is vitally important that the cause of Cushing's syndrome be found as quickly as possible. Obviously, it must be done by an expert veterinarian, performing various tests and prescribing the most appropriate treatment, which will depend entirely on the cause or origin of the syndrome.
Symptoms of Cushing's Syndrome in Dogs
As we discussed earlier, many of the easily visible symptoms can be confused with typical symptoms of old age in a dog and For this reason, many people do not realize that the signs and symptoms that their faithful friend presents are due to an abnormality in the production of cortisol. As the disease usually develops slowly, the symptoms of cushing's in dogs will appear little by little, it can take months, even years, for all of them to appear. Keep in mind that not all dogs respond the same to an increase in cortisol, so it is very possible that not all dogs present all the symptoms.
Although there are more, the most frequent symptoms of Cushing's syndrome are the following:
- Increased thirst and urination.
- Increased appetite.
- Skin problems and diseases.
- Alopecia.
- Skin hyperpigmentation.
- Bad hair quality.
- Frequent gasps.
- Muscle weakness and atrophy.
- Lethargy.
- Located obesity in the abdomen (swollen belly).
- Increased liver size.
- Recurring skin infections.
- In an advanced case of pituitary origin, neurological changes will occur.
- Alterations in the reproductive cycle of females.
- Testicular atrophy in males.
Sometimes, the most direct way to realize that it is Cushing's syndrome is not through its symptoms, but when the veterinarian detects a secondary disease caused by it. For example, diabetes mellitus, secondary hypothyroidism, nervous and behavioral alterations, among other possibilities.
Is Cushing's syndrome in dogs contagious?
No, cushing's syndrome in dogs is not contagious As it is an endocrine disease, that is, hormonal, there is no possibility of contagion. What does exist is a genetic predisposition in certain dogs, since some breeds are more likely than others to suffer from this disorder in cortisol production.
Dogs prone to cushing
This abnormality in the functioning of the adrenal glands, which causes an overproduction of cortisol, is more frequent in adult dogs than in young ones, normally from 6 years and especially in dogs over 10 years old. It can also affect dogs that suffer episodes of stress due to some other type of problem or with other related conditions. It seems that there are indications to think that the most frequent cases of Cushing's syndrome in dogs with pituitary origin occur in dogs weighing less than 20 kg, whereas cases of adrenal origin are more frequent in dogs weighing more than 20 kg, although the adrenal type also occurs in small dogs.
Although the sex of the dog does not influence the appearance of this hormonal syndrome, the breed seems to have some influence. Here are some of the breeds most likely to suffer from Cushing's syndrome, depending on the origin of the problem:
Origin in the pituitary
- Dachshund
- Poodle
- Boston terrier
- Small Schnauzer
- M altese Bichon
- Bobtail
Origin in the adrenal glands
- Yorkshire terrier
- Dachshund
- Toy Poodle
- German shepherd
Iatrogenic origin
Remember that this cause was due to the contraindicated or excessive administration of glucocorticoids and other medications.
- Boxer
- Pyrenees Shepherd
- Labrador retriever
- Poodle
Diagnosis of Cushing's Syndrome in Dogs
It is very important that if we detect any of the symptoms mentioned in the previous section, although they may seem like old age, we go to our trusted veterinarian to carry out all the tests that he considers necessary to be able to rule out or diagnose cushing's syndrome in our furry and can offer us the best solution and treatment.
The vet will need to perform various tests such as blood tests, urinalysis, skin biopsies in areas showing alterations, x-rays, ultrasounds, testspecific to measure the concentration of cortisol in the blood and, if the origin in the pituitary gland is suspected, CT and MRI should be done.
How is cushing's syndrome cured in dogs? - Treatment
The veterinarian will prescribe the most appropriate treatment, which will depend entirely on the origin of Cushing's syndrome in each dog. The treatment can be pharmacological for life or until the dog can be operated on and should be based on regulating cortisol levelsThe treatment can also be directly surgical to remove the tumor or solve the problem that occurs in the glands, whether they are the adrenals or the pituitary. Treatment based on chemotherapy or radiotherapy is also considered when the tumors are not operable. On the other hand, if the cause of the syndrome is iatrogenic, it will suffice to stop the medication of the other treatment that is being given and that has been the cause of Cushing's syndrome.
Many parameters of the dog's he alth and the probabilities will have to be considered in each case to decide if one treatment or another is better. In addition, we will have to make periodic visits to the veterinarian to control cortisol levels and adjust the medication if necessary, or to control the postoperative process.
Drugs for cushing's syndrome in dogs
The veterinarian will be in charge of prescribing the most appropriate medications to treat cushing's syndrome in dogs depending on the cause. For example, drugs with the active ingredient trilostane are often used for Cushing's caused by a malfunction of the suprarenal and adrenal glands.
How long does a dog live with cushing?
Is Cushing's syndrome in dogs fatal? Again, the answer depends on the cause Cushing's syndrome in dogs caused by a tumor, for example, can lead to the death of the animal if the tumor is not is operable and the animal does not respond adequately to treatment. Cushing's syndrome in dogs due to corticosteroids or other medications, for example, does not have to be fatal because the treatment involves withdrawing the medication that is causing the hormonal alteration.
The life expectancy of a dog with cushing which is caused by a malfunction of the suprarenal, adrenal, pituitary glands or pituitary gland, and therefore receive treatment for life, will depend entirely on the quality of life you have. By following a proper diet, exercising, and receiving treatment consistently, you can live for many years. Now, if you don't get the proper care, then your he alth could be compromised because Cushing's weakens the immune system, allowing diseases and secondary problems to develop.
Home remedies for cushing's syndrome in dogs
There are no natural treatments to cure cushing's in dogs. Home remedies only serve to improve the animal's quality of life, which, in turn, will allow cortisol levels to be controlled and it can live longer. Of course, as long as the veterinary treatment is followed.
Diet for dogs with Cushing's syndrome
Dogs with Cushing's should follow a balanced diet that fully covers their nutritional needs. Depending on the cause that caused the syndrome, the veterinarian will offer one or another indication. In any case, it is highly recommended to avoid low-quality feed, since it would only enhance the development of other problems, such as the appearance of kidney stones. For this reason, it is best to offer quality food for dogs with Cushing's syndrome, either through a homemade diet or feed.
Quality food strengthens the immune system and, therefore, helps the dog to be better. It is advisable to offer easily digestible proteins, such as chicken, turkey or fish.
Exercise and stimulation
Physical exercise and mental stimulation are also very important factors in helping a dog with Cushing's syndrome. Thus, it will be necessary to keep the animal active through activities and games, which can be physical or intelligence.
Avoid stress
Stress and anxiety also increase cortisol production, something totally counterproductive in clinical cases of Cushing's syndrome. For this reason, you should absolutely avoid those situations that can produce a high level of stress or anxiety in your dog.
