Canine Endocrine Diseases

The endocrine system regulates hormones and as a result can affect everything from energy levels to skin moisture to stress. Just like humans, dogs can suffer from endocrine disease. The diseases can be difficult to recognize, because the visible symptoms are so similar to many other diseases or even effects of old age. Several endocrine diseases frequently affect canines, and knowing them and their symptoms can help you alleviate the suffering of your dog.

  1. Hypothyroidism

    • This is one of the most common endocrine diseases in dogs and occurs when the pituitary gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. The disease typically affects dogs 4 to 10 years old. The result is a myriad of symptoms that may not seem severe but can affect your dog's quality of life.

      The top four commonly presented symptoms in dogs with hypothyroidism are fatigue, hair loss, weight gain, and dry skin or excessive shedding. The good news is that the disease can be easily diagnosed with a simple blood test by your vet and requires a single, inexpensive daily medication, which often costs less than $10 a month.

    Cushings Disease

    • Cushings disease is the result of the pituitary or adrenal gland producing too much glucocorticoid hormone. The disease typically affect dogs ages 7 and older. Cushings is a slow-progressing disease and can be particularly hard to diagnose, because the symptoms appear gradually and can be mistaken for signs of old age.

      Common symptoms include increased drinking and urination, significant increase in appetite, swelling in the abdomen and hair thinning. Cushings can be diagnosed by administering a complete blood count panel, which will detect changes in the kidney and liver functioning levels.

      Treatment for Cushings is somewhat complicated. It can range from surgery to remove one or both the pituitary and adrenal glans to a lysodren prescription, which acts as oral chemotherapy, killing malignant cells on the affected gland.

    Addison's Disease

    • Addison's disease is a malfunction of the adrenal gland creating an imbalance of cortisol and aldersterone hormones. Although Addison's can affect dogs of any age, the most common victims are young to middle-aged female dogs. The symptoms are severe but will surface only in sporadic waves.

      Common symptoms include vomiting, lack of appetite and muscle weakness. Diagnosis occurs through a simple blood level panel, and the treatment is a twice-daily-administered pill called Florinef. You should have your dog's levels checked a few times each year, once you have begun administering the medication.