Cushing's disease or hyperadrenocorticism can be fatal for your dog. Mostly occurring in dogs, although in rare cases cats, the disease uses the body's hormone, cortisol, to work against the immune system and hurt vital organs. While the disease is treatable when diagnosed correctly, the disease may be fatal if not treated.
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How Cushing's Disease Is Fatal
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Cushing's disease is the overproduction of a hormone called cortisol by the adrenal glands. These glands are located next to the kidneys in the belly of dogs. There are two causes why this could happen. First, it could be caused by an increase in production of the piturary gland in the brain that, in turn, leads to the excess of cortisol. This is referred to as pituitary-dependent Cushing̵7;s. Another cause is adrenal-dependent Cushing̵7;s, which is a tumor on the adrenal gland.
Both variations of the disease stifle the immune system, allowing dogs to contract bacterial infections. Bacterial infections can lead to other fatal complications such as heart disease, liver and kidney failure.
Dogs Vunerable to Cushing's Disease
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Any type of breed can develop Cushing's disease. However, some breeds are more likely to contract it than others: the beagle, the German shepard, the poodle, the Yorkshire terrier, the Boston terrier, the golden retriever, the Labrador rRetriever and the boxer.
Dogs usually develop the disease after 6 years of age, though any age of dog can contract it. There is also some debate about whether female dogs are less likely to have Cushing's disease and whether dogs that have been spayed or neutered are more likely to have the disease.
Symptoms of Canine Cushing's Disease
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Since Cushing's disease attacks most organs in the body, symptoms of the disease are various. However, common symptoms of the disease mirror the signs of old age. This includes hair loss (most hair loss occurs on the body instead of the head and legs) and loss of bladder control and muscle control. Other common symptoms are increased appetite and/or water consumption, bruising easily, thin skin and broken blood vessels.
How to Prevent Death from Cushing's Disease
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Though Cushing's disease is not fatal at its onset, it can be fatal through complications of a suppressed immune system. It will cause great discomfort for your dog. Treatment for either causes of the disease is important to protect your dog from fatal results later.
If you suspect your dog has Cushing's disease, having your vet perform a physical, urine analysis and blood tests can often detect the disease, though there is no single test for the detection of the disease.
Laboratory tests may catch things such as increased levels of blood sugar, an increase in the liver enzyme ALP, increased white blood cell count, higher levels of cholesterol and diluted urine.
If your dog tests positive for Cushing's disease, start treatments immediately.
Treatments
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Both causes of Cushing's are usually treated with orally received medication. If the cause of Cushing's is adrenal-dependent, then the disease may be cured with the removal of the tumor. However, because the surgery is dangerous for the dog and not all tumors may be removed, most dogs are treated with medication that suppresses side effects of the disease. Dogs starting treatment will need to visit the veterinarian regularly for blood tests to determine correct dosage.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, three medications are available to treat Cushing's in dogs: Vetoryl (trilostane) capsules, Anipryl (selegiline) or a human chemotherapy medication, Lysodren (mitotane).
Consult with your veterinarian to know which one is right for dog and the stage of the disease.
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