Canine Cushings Syndrome

Cushing’s Syndrome is a glandular up-regulation of the body’s internal steroid production. It is usually caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary gland at the base of the brain but also occurs, less commonly, due to a malignant cancer of the adrenal gland.

Some of the signs common to Cushing’s Syndrome also occur in other medical conditions, such as excessive drinking and urination. Screening bloodwork, typically revealing a remarkably high alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and a more specific test called an ACTH stim (AdrenoCorticoTropicHormone stimulation) test are necessary to discern Cushing’s from other diseases such as kidney disease, diabetes mellitus and liver disease, to name a few.

If it is discovered your pet is afflicted with Cushing’s Syndrome, Trilostane is the current treatment of choice and offers significantly less side effects in comparison to Trilostane’s predecessor, Lysodren. Treatment with Trilostane will noticeably improve your pet’s quality of life.

Left untreated, all systems of the body suffer and chronically weaken from the body’s overproduction of steroids in Cushing’s Syndrome. If you think your pet is drinking more water and is urinating more frequently, possibly causing atypical accidents in the house, contact the staff at Piney Creek Square Integrative Veterinary Medicine so we can schedule an appointment today. Our doctors will let you know if testing for Cushing’s is recommended.

Additional information regarding this condition can be found at the following links:

• Symptoms of Cushing’s Syndrome
• Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s Syndrome) in Dogs
• Cushing’s Syndrome
• Cushing’s Disease in Companion Animal