This disease is known in the medical world as hyperadrenocorticism, which means an excessive production of cortisol in the body. Cortisol is a stress hormone and the disease usually occurs in dogs 6 years of age or older.
There are some dog breeds predisposed to this disease. These breeds are German Shepherd poodles daschunds, terriers and golden retrievers.
Types of Cushing's disease
Cushing's disease is known in three types: tumor in the pituitary, adrenal gland, and iatrogenic.
Pituitary Tumor – A tumor in the pituitary gland appears and this stimulates the overproduction of cortisol by glands adrenals. This type of Cushing's disease is most common in canine patients.
Adrenal tumor, adrenal gland develops a tumor and break balance and cause large amounts of cortisol to appear. This is not a very common type of Cushing in the dog.
Iatrogenic – This type of disease develops when the patient has abused the use of corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are used to treat various ailments such as arthritis, allergies and various skin disorders. Because blood full of corticosteroids adrenal glands secrete cortisol does not and starts to decrease in size.
The clinical symptoms of Cushing:
Diagnosis of canine Cushing
To detect this disease, the veterinarian must perform a physical examination, blood testing and urine and such as ultrasound and radiography. Other laboratory tests are necessary to determine the type of Cushing's disease.
Treatment of disease Cushing in dogs
This disease is treated with drugs. Mitotane is well known and used and destroyed parts of the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol. The dog treated Close supervision is necessary, but if no complications occur, the dog must be able to live a long life on medication.
Another treatment is surgery. This means that some of the adrenal gland is removed to produce less cortisol. If the extracted tumor is benign, the dog's life expectancy is very high. But if the tumor is malignant and spreading to other parts of the body, the prognosis is not good and the dog can die.
The rate of iatrogenic Cushing's disease often treated with corticosteroid discontinuation in a controlled manner. This is done by slowly reducing levels of corticosteroids and, after a time, terminating the treatment when the adrenal gland can work on their own. Note that no matter what treatment is, the dog would suffer drug side effects. It is best to research it is also natural methods of treatment and help the dog back to health.
Skin Allergies in Dogs and Cats Part 1