Cushing’s Syndrome in Dogs

Cortisol is an essential hormone that takes part in various metabolic processes, stimulates production of glucose in the liver, influences blood pressure, is essential for the lipid metabolism and dampen s the immune response. An excessively high cortisol level causes disbalanced hormone regulation.

Cushing’s syndrome is widely spread amongst adult dogs from the age of 8 years. Especially affected are old dogs, female dogs and the following dog breed s: poodle, terrier, schnauzer, dachshund, beagle, and pugs .

What causes Cushing’s syndrome? The most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome in dogs is a benign or malignant tumor of the pituitary in the brain (80 % to 85 % of cases). This type of Cushing’s syndrome is called Morbus Cushing. The pituitary is a neuroendocrine gland that secrets the adrenocorticotrope hormone (ACTH), which acts on the adrenal glands and causes cortisol to be produced. In the case of Morbus Cushing, the signaling continues even if there is already a sufficient amount of cortisol.

In fewer cases Cushing’s syndrome is caused by tumors of the adrenal glands. This type of Cushing’s syndrome occurs in 15 to 20 % of cases.

The excessive administration of steroids to cure another disease can then cause iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome.

How does Cushing’s syndrome progress? Symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome in dogs include:

Increased thirst and appetite

Increased desire to empty the bladder and light, watery urine

Lethargy and decreased activity

Hair loss

Thin skin

Skin inflammation

Muscle weakness

Pot belly

Susceptibility to infectious diseases

Slow wound healing

Increased panting and breathing difficulties

General loss of muscle tone

Of course, symptoms vary among dogs and are often confused for signs of aging. Therefore, Cushing’s syndrome often stays undetected by dog owners and veterinarians for a longer time. Without treatment, Cushing’s syndrome is usually fatal . Also, it increases the risk of secondary diseases such as renal infections. Other secondary diseases include fatty liver, hypertension , increased thrombotic risk, and pancreatitis. In a late stage of Cushing’s syndrome, some dogs develop diabetes mellitus.

How is Cushing’s syndrome diagnosed? After anamnesis of the symptoms, the veterinarian examines the abdomen externally and then takes blood and urine tests, also to exclude other possible diseases. The blood is examined with an ACTH stimulation test and a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test. Laboratory abnormalities in the blood analysis can indicate Cushing’s syndrome: e.g. specific patterns in the white blood cell numbers, an elevation of ALP, a liver enzyme, and proteins in the urine. An enlargement of the liver might be visible . Afterwards, imaging procedures such as X-ray and abdominal ultrasound can be conducted.

How is Cushing’s syndrome treated? Cushing’s syndrome can be treated with medication such as Trilostane or Mitotane. The medication for Morbus Cushing aims to control the activity of the adrenal gland. The surgical removal of the pituitary tumor as well as radiation therapy might be alternative options. However, surgery is complicated and therefore not widely available. The prognosis becomes less favorable if the pituitary tumor grows, which happens in approximately 15 % of dogs with this type of Cushing’s syndrome. In the case of an adrenal gland tumor, the tumor can be surgically removed. When that tumor is benign, this can cure the disease.

The treatment of iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome includes the controlled, gradual discontinuation of the prescribed steroid (although this often results in the recurrence of the disease that was originally treated with the steroids). The affected dogs need a special kind of food and regular examination by a veterinarian.

In summary, it can be said that Cushing’s syndrome cannot be cured. Nevertheless, it can be successfully treated for many years, giving the dog and its owner many years of high life quality.

EXERCISE: 1. Cushing’s syndrome is widely spread amongst adult dogs and is a hormonal disorder in adult dogs. A) True B) False

2. Symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome in dogs include: A) Hair loss B) Leg pain C) Skin inflammation D) Muscle weakness E) Pot belly

3. Cushing’s syndrome cannot be cured. Nevertheless, it can be successfully treated for many years, giving the dog and its owner many years of high life quality. A) True B) False

You’ll find the answer below.

BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. www.dict.cc 2. www.mariettavetclinic.com 3. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov 4. www.vet.cornell.edu 5. Vormwald K: Praxisbuch für Tierheilpraktiker, Thieme Verlag 2020 6. www.webster-dictionary.org

CARMEN LOBITZ Carmen Lobitz ist freie Trainerin, Lehrerin und MTL. Sie gründete 1998 in Berlin lobitz seminare, die unter anderem Englischseminare für Health Professionals anbieten.

Kontakt: mail@lobitz-seminare.de

www.lobitz-seminare.de

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Lösung für Exercise:

1. A

2. A, C, D, E

3. A

Cushing’s Syndrome in Dogs

What causes Cushing’s syndrome?

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Cushing’s Syndrome in Dogs

What causes Cushing’s syndrome?

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