Cushings Disease

[harv 5]

Found out yesterday my 9year old bedlington bitch has cushings disease, has any one had a dog with this, if so what is the outcome, do they do ok on medication etc. feedback would be much appreciated.

[Irish Lurcher 1,013]

Cushing's Syndrome (also called hypercortisolism or hyperadrenocorticism) is an endocrine disorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the blood from a variety of causes, including a pituitary adenoma (known as Cushing's disease), adrenal hyperplasia or neoplasia, ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production (e.g., from a small cell lung cancer), and iatrogenic (steroid use). Normally, cortisol is released from the adrenal gland in response to ACTH being released from the pituitary gland. Both Cushing's syndrome and Cushing's disease are characterized by elevated levels of cortisol in the blood, but the cause of elevated cortisol differs between the two. Cushing's disease specifically refers to a tumour in the pituitary gland that stimulates excessive release of cortisol from the adrenal gland by releasing large amounts of ACTH. In Cushing's disease, ACTH levels do not respond to negative feedback from the high levels of cortisol.

 

Cushing's syndrome is not confined to humans and is also a relatively common condition in domestic dogs and horses.

[Guest SJM]

My ex's dog was diagnosed with this earlier this year. He had a sudden personality transformation and when my ex looked up the symptoms on the internet they matched Cushings exactly, he had some bloods done at the vets to confirm just how bad things were, and then the dog went on meds, he will be on them for the rest of his life. The psychological symptoms were that he suddenly started growling at people and becoming possessive/aggressive over his food, as well as snapping and snatching food out of peoples hands which he never did before, physical sypmtoms he had were suddenly being much more thirsty, he was emptying his water bowl several times a day more than usual, then his fur started coming off on his hind legs and the "elbow" bit of his front legs. He also stopped jumping up on bedding and furniture in the house which he previously did, and all these put together was a classic case of Cushings. The main thing that has changed since he has been on the meds is his weight has absolutely balooned he is about 3 times the size he was before but apart from that he seems to be doing ok so far?

 

ETA he is 11 years old and a border collie.