What Causes the Overproduction of Adrenaline in Dogs?

Excessive adrenal production in dogs is caused by Cushing's Disease, a condition that occurs when the adrenal glands, which are situated at the top of the kidneys, produce too much of the stress hormone, cortisol because of an adrenal or pituitary tumor. Cushing's Disease can often be successfully managed and treated with medication. Early detection is vital because the condition is potentially fatal if left untreated for a long period of time.

  1. Pituitary Tumor

    • Cushing's Disease is caused by a malfunctioning of the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain, which is responsible for adrenal production. The gland creates growth hormones. A malfunctioning pituitary gland, however, produces excessive growth hormones and sends incorrect messages to the adrenal glands, causing them to produce excessive levels of adrenalin.

    Adrenal Tumor

    • Adrenal gland tumors create hormonal imbalances causing the overproduction of adrenaline and excessive amounts of the stress hormone, cortisol. Between 15 and 20 percent of Cushing's cases in dogs are caused by an adrenal tumor. Cancerous tumors, known as pheochromocytomas, are very rare in dogs and more likely to be diagnosed in dogs over 7 years of age.

    Symptoms and Diagnosis

    • Increased thirst, panting, abdominal swelling, hair loss, thinning skin, and recurrent skin infections are common symptoms of Cushing's Disease. Veterinarians diagnose the condition with blood tests that measure hormone production and determine whether the condition is caused by an adrenal or pituitary tumor. They may also perform an ultrasound scan to detect an adrenal tumor.

    Treatment

    • Pituitary tumors are controlled with medication because surgery isn't widely available. Frequent blood tests are carried out on the dog to determine how well it is responding to medication in the initial stages of treatment. Adrenal tumors may be surgically removed or treated with drugs, depending on the dog's general health and whether the tumor is malignant.