Cushing's disease that occurs in a bichon frise is the same Cushing's disease that would occur in other dogs such as a Great Dane or a chihuahua. However, as with any other medical condition, there may be variations in the symptoms or progression of the disease. Bichon frise owners who suspect canine Cushing's disease should make an appointment with their dog's veterinarian.
-
Identification
-
Cushing's disease―more formally known in the veterinary world as hyperadrenocorticism―occurs when the canine adrenal gland produces excessive levels of glucocorticoids. It predominantly occurs in bichon frise dogs that are middle-age or older, though it can occur as early as 2 years or as late as 16 years. There may be some sex predisposition, as females tend to develop Cushing's disease more often than male dogs.
Symptoms
-
According to the Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department of PetEducation.com, the symptoms of Cushing's disease in a bichon may not occur immediately and some bichons may show only one symptom rather than multiple symptoms; therefore, it may be difficult for an owner to recognize. These dogs may experience an increase in water intake and increased urine output. These are the most common symptoms, which may be referred to as polydipsia and polyuria. Additional symptoms include hair loss, thinned skin, increased appetite, skin lesions and abdominal enlargement.
Diagnosis
-
Information provided by the Merck Veterinary Manual states that the diagnosis for canine Cushing's disease can be a challenge. Often, the symptoms of the bichon frise must be combined with the results of various tests before the disease can even be suspected. Furthermore, some dogs may display abnormalities in the tests without showing any symptoms of hyperadrenocorticism. Therefore, some bichons may require tests several months apart to confirm the presence of Cushing's disease.
Treatment
-
Once the bichon frise has been positively diagnosed with the disease, the owner has a few different options. For some bichons, surgical removal of the adrenal gland may be necessary if hyperadrenocorticism is due to an adrenal tumor. Oral medications include trilostane, lysodren, anipryl and ketaconazole, though which medication used is dependent upon the dog's reactions to the specific medication.
Prognosis
-
The prognosis will vary based on the age of the dog, the dog's overall health and the underlying cause of the Cushing's disease. Dogs with a pituitary tumor or an adrenal tumor may have a more guarded prognosis because the cancer may have the potential to spread further throughout the body. For most dogs, as long as treatment is sought, the prognosis is relatively good and a full life should be expected as long as no complications arise.
-