Canine Cushing's disease and diabetes are endocrine disorders that alter a dog's ability to produce appropriate amounts of hormones to maintain health. Cushing's disease is also known as hyperadrenocorticism and has similar symptoms to diabetes, according to the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Diabetes and Cushing's disease can be difficult to differentiate as they share similar symptoms. There are some distinguishing factors between the two diseases.
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Canine Cushing's Disease
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Cushing's disease is the release of excessive amounts of cortisol, a hormone. Cortisol is released by the adrenal glands which reside above the kidneys. Cushing's disease is caused by either a tumor on the adrenal glands or a malfunctioning pituitary gland. The majority of Cushing's disease cases originates from the pituitary gland and is called pituitary-dependent Cushing's.
Canine Diabetes
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Diabetes is the insufficient production of insulin by the pancreas. A lack of insulin in the dog's body causes sugar to build up in the blood instead of being delivered to the brain and other organs. Excessive amounts of sugar are excreted through urine. Dogs may develop either uncomplicated diabetes, a milder form, or diabetes with ketoacidosis, a more severe illness.
Signs and Symptoms
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Cushing's disease causes an increase in appetite and thirst, hair loss on the body, and increased urination, and makes the abdomen appear pot-bellied. Dogs may also pant excessively, walk with increasing stiffness or seem weak. The lungs may form a blood clot leading to sudden breathing problems.
Diabetes also causes excessive thirst, appetite and urination as well as cataracts and increased susceptibility to skin or urinary tract infections. Change in gait, muscle problems and weakness may also occur.
Diagnosis
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A definitive test for Cushing's disease does not exist. However, blood and urine tests as well as a physical exam with a detailed history may indicate Cushing's disease. Blood tests often reveal changes in liver enzymes, white blood cells and blood sugar levels. X-rays or an ultrasound may reveal a tumor on an adrenal gland or an enlarged liver, a possible sign of Cushing's disease.
Diabetes is diagnosed by analyzing the dog's blood sugar and sugar levels in the urine. High sugar levels indicate diabetes.
Treatment
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Pituitary-dependent Cushing's disease is treated with oral medication. The medication must be taken for the remainder of the dog's life and may cause side effects. The treatment of adrenal dependent Cushing's disease often involves surgery to remove the affected adrenal gland. Half of all adrenal tumors are cancerous. Failure to remove the cancerous tumor could allow the cancer to spread throughout the dog's body.
Dogs with diabetes must have injections of insulin each day. Long, short and intermediate acting insulins are available and will be prescribed by the veterinarian. The short acting insulin is used in acute situations. Dogs that have diabetes with ketoacidosis may need intravenous fluids to treat vomiting before they can begin long term treatment with insulin. Dogs with diabetes may also have to take antibiotics to treat secondary skin or urinary tract infections.
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