Cushing’s disease is common in older dogs, and treatment can involve a host of minor side effects, especially dizziness. Unless the dizziness is interfering in your dog’s daily activities, it is only a sign that his medication dose needs to be adjusted by the vet.
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Basics
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Cushing’s disease is a condition in which the dog’s body is producing too much glucocorticoid chemicals. This can be caused by an overstimulation of the pituitary gland or an adrenal tumor.
Treatment
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If the condition is caused by an adrenal tumor, surgery is an option, but since 80 percent of cases stem from the pituitary, oral medication is more common. A variety of medications can treat the condition.
Effects
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Cushing’s treatment aims to slow the body’s production of glucocorticoids. This creates a withdrawal process within the dog’s body that can be managed with a very slow treatment process. If the medication gradient is too steep, withdrawal will be severe, potentially causing nausea and dizziness.
Considerations
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If your dog is nauseous, take away his food until vomiting stops. Keep him still and comfortable while he is dizzy. Call your vet and explain the symptoms and how long they’ve been going on.
Resolution
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Your vet will likely ask you to bring your dog in for an exam. He will check your dog’s vitals to determine the severity of the situation, and will probably draw blood to check medication levels and adjust them accordingly.
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