What is canine Cushings disease?
Canine Cushing’s disease is an illness that frequently affects middle-aged or older dogs. Its symptoms progress slowly, and often dog owners mistake the disease for a normal aging process. Cushing’s disease is the result of too much glucocorticoid in the body, and it is treatable.CausesIn a normal dog, the pituitary gland secretes a hormone that directs the production of glucocorticoid in the body, which is needed for several of the body’s functions. In a dog with Cushing’s disease, the pituitary gland is affected in some way–usually by a tumor–and it causes the body to produce too much glucocorticoid.SymptomsThe most common symptoms of canine Cushing’s disease include increased consumption of water and urination, increased appetite, abdominal enlargement and hair loss.TestsIn order to diagnose Cushing’s disease, a veterinarian must first observe symptoms of the disease in the dog. Then he may perform a variety of tests, including a urine test and an abdominal ultrasound.Surgical Opt
