Cushing's disease occurs when a dog's body over-produces the stress hormone cortisol. This disorder is common in some breeds and becomes increasingly likely in older female dogs. Although it causes some obvious physical symptoms, Cushing's is not fatal and is considered to be a manageable disorder through lifestyle and medication.
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Causes
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In a dog's brain, the pituitary gland produces the hormone ACTH, which in turn stimulates the adrenalin gland to produce cortisol. Any over-reaction from the pituitary or adrenal gland causes a flood of cortisol, and eventually leads to Cushing's. Pituitary tumors and adrenal damage are the most common causes of Cushing's.
Symptoms
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Symptoms of Cushing's in dogs include excessive thirst and urination, hunger, pot-bellied appearance, dull coat, hair loss and thin skin. Because cortisol suppresses the immune system, a Cushing's dog is also more vulnerable to outside infection.
Treatments
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Vets diagnose Cushing's through blood tests, and treat it accordingly. If the culprit is an operable tumor, a dog goes into surgery for tumor removal. Vets manage inoperable Cushing's with medication that seeks to control either the pituitary or adrenal gland, or both.
Lysodren
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Lysodren is a Cushing's medication used only in pituitary Cushing's, where the dog has a pituitary tumor that is inoperable. Lysodren destroys the pituitary tumor, and may also kill the outer layer of the adrenal gland to restrict its ability to produce cortisol.
Considerations
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Lysodren is a toxic chemotherapy drug, and may cause some serious side effects in dogs. Although it's accepted as the most effect treatment of Cushing's, Lysodren can cause inappetance, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and weakness. It may also result in Addison's styndrome, or the lack of cortisol in a dog's body.
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