Cushings Disease

Cushing's disease is a disorder of the adrenal glands in which excessive adrenal hormones are produced. The cause of hyperadrenalism may be abnormal pituitary gland function, tumors of the adrenal gland, “cortisone” therapy or unexplained overactivity of the adrenal gland.

Hyperadrenalism is a slowly progressing disease, and the early signs are often overlooked. These include increased appetite, increased drinking and urination, reduced activity and enlargement of the abdomen. As the disease progresses, these signs intensify, and the pet may become fat, pant heavily and lose hair evenly over each side of the body. In some cases, hair loss may be the only apparent change.

Extensive laboratory tests and radiographs (x-rays) are needed to diagnose the condition, find its cause and plan a proper treatment plan. Some animals respond to medical treatment alone, while others need both surgical and medical treatment. Unfortunately, some patients grow worse despite treatment.

Please send comments about this website to the Webmaster.