Cushing’s syndrome is a chronic illness that is much more common in dogs than in humans. It’s caused by a malfunctioning pituitary gland – this is a gland the governs growth and adrenaline production and produces a hormone called cortisol which stimulates growth and the adrenal glands.

In the normal growth period for a dog, a healthy pituitary gland will create growth hormones and then stop once the dog is fully grown.

If the pituitary gland malfunctions, it can cause excessive growth and send the wrong messages to the adrenal glands causing excessive production of adrenaline. The over production of adrenaline is what causes Cushing’s syndrome.  Although not curable, Cushing’s syndrome is a condition that’s entirely treatable and if suspected, must be investigated immediately as a delay in treatment can severely affect quality of life for you dog and lead to a range of more severe health problems.

The most common symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome are:

  • Increased thirst and actual water intake
  • Increased urination, both in frequency and quantity
  • Increased appetite
  • A bloated abdomen
  • Excessive panting
  • Weight gain
  • Calcified lumps on the skin

 

There are certain breeds of dogs as well that are more susceptible to Cushing’s syndrome

  • · Poodle
  • · Yorkshire Terrier
  • · Boxer
  • · Dachshund
  • · German Shepherd
  • · Labrador
  • · Boston Terrier
  • · Golden Retriever
  • · Beagle

If your vet suspects Cushing’s, he/she will need to perform a set of blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. Because the concentration of Cortisol fluctuates throughout the day (in both healthy dogs and those with Cushing’s) a diagnosis can’t be confirmed through one test alone so you may need to leave your dog with the vet for a few hours. The two tests that are used to confirm a diagnosis of Cushing’s are called the ACTH stimulation test and the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test and sometimes both tests will need to be performed.

Although Cushing’s syndrome can’t be cured but it can be successfully managed and controlled through medication. In the UK Vetoryl is the only licensed treatment for Cushing’s. Vetoryl contains trilostane, a substance that blocks the production of cortisol.