Cushing's Disease & Irritability

Cushing's disease in dogs is an often fatal disease in which the body produces too much adrenal hormone, most commonly corticosteroids. Certain symptoms of and treatments for Cushing's disease in dogs can cause irritability.

  1. Increase in Thirst and Appetite

    • Anyone who is perpetually hungry and thirsty can be prone to irritability. Cushing's disease produces increases in thirst and appetite, spurring the animal to drink and eat more. Food may not always be available--or advisable--however, leaving the dog hungry.

    Susceptibility to Infections

    • Dogs with Cushing's are more susceptible to infections. Infections can produce a variety of symptoms, including discomfort, pain and nausea--which can leave the dog irritable.

    Muscle Weakness

    • Cushing's can also weaken heart and skeletal muscles. It can be frustrating for a dog to be unable to move in all the ways he wants because his muscles simply don't have the strength.

    Thinning Skin

    • Thinning skin often occurs with Cushing's disease, which means the dog will be more prone to knicks and scratches. It can be quite frustrating to constantly have the equivalent of several paper cuts.

    Treatments

    • While treatment may improve quality of life, they can also produce irritability. Surgery to remove a pituitary tumor (one major cause of Cushing's) may involve recovery time in which the dog is in pain or feeling malaise (a general feeling of illness). Common medications like Lysodren can also produce irritating side effects, like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and weakness.

    Accumulation of Symptoms

    • Ever had a cold and wanted to bite someone's head off? The accumulation of several minor symptoms can result in general irritability for anyone. Cushing's disease patients often have to deal with a number of uncomfortable symptoms at any given time, so a good way to combat irritability is to try to relieve those problems.