By: DOGeNEWS
When unexplainable lumps and bumps, increased appetite, bulging
stomach, and loss of hair strike your canine, the cause of
concern may lead to a diagnosis of Cushing's disease. The
condition that seems to develop in middle age to older dogs is
characterized by malfunctioning pituitary or adrenal glands or
the overproduction of corticosteroids. The disease is also
triggered by tumors in the adrenal or pituitary glands. Overall,
Cushing's disease is a complex condition that brings about a
wide-range of symptoms and isn't easily detected by the average
pet owner.
Signs and Symptoms
Unlike typical dog ailments, Cushing's disease is quite tricky,
as a pet owner is most often unaware of the onset of this
condition. The common signs that alert an owner that something
is wrong with a dog do not take place, such as visible pain,
diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, or bleeding. Usually, a pet owner
simply writes off the common symptoms of Cushing's disease as
the normal course of getting older.
For example, the muscle weakness connected to Cushing's disease
causes a dog to exercise less and become sluggish. These are
typical signs of an aging dog; therefore owners usually dismiss
these symptoms. A visit to a veterinarian often doesn't come
until the signs become too unbearable. For instance, a dog may
act completely out of character, such as displaying an
uncharacteristic lapse in housetraining. The typical pooch
suffering the effects of Cushing's disease showcases a saggy
belly, which is caused by dwindling muscle strength. As the
condition worsens, a dog may lose hair. Additionally, the skin
starts to thin and becomes less resistant to infection.
When it comes to Cushing's disease, there are certain dogs that
fall under a high-risk category. Bull Terriers, Silky Terriers,
Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds, Poodles (toy, miniature, and
standard) and Boston Terriers are all considered a high-risk
breed for the disease. When it comes to adrenal gland tumors,
female dogs are more vulnerable. The disease is also common in
dogs that are older than five years old.
Getting to the Bottom of Cushing's Disease
Once a pet owner suspects Cushing's disease, a veterinarian can
diagnose the problem with a blood test. Later, they can pinpoint
the cause of the condition (pituitary or adrenal gland issues).
Nearly 85% of all Cushing's disease cases are caused by tumors
in the pituitary glands, which are treatable with drugs. There
is no cure for this instance of the disease, while adrenal gland
tumors are surgically removable.
Cushing's Disease Treatment
The main drugs used to treat Cushing's disease are called
Lysodren, Ketoconazole, and Anipryl. Lysodren combats the outer
layer of the adrenal gland to regulate the amount of
corticosteroids that the body produces. Ketoconazole suppresses
cortisol secretions within the adrenal glands, but can only
treat about 75 to 80% of all cases. Anipryl rejuvenates the
natural balance of chemicals in the brain to decrease Cushing's
disease symptoms and often delivers a high success rate.
Long Term Effects
If the disease is left untreated, the condition will worsen and
eventually threaten the life of the dog with the development of
additional disorders, including diabetes, kidney failure,
congestive heart failure, and infections that attack the ears,
eyes, bladder, or skin. Whenever it becomes apparent that your
dog is suffering from Cushing's disease, immediate medical
attention is a must.
About The Author: Joann Henry operates "Doggie Health Care"
http://www.DoggieHe althCare. com a blog all about our pooches
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