The Hungarian or Magyar vizsla (meaning "pointer" in Hungarian) loves its family as much as it loves the hunt. An energetic sporting breed, the vizsla has few health issues, but can become afflicted with an endocrine illness called Cushing's disease.
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Identification
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Cushing's disease causes the pituitary gland to signal the adrenal glands to secrete too much cortisol, a hormone normally needed to regulate various functions of the body, including blood-sugar levels, stress and the immune system.
Effects
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Excess cortisol can lead to diabetes, extreme weight gain, cardiac arrest and liver disease.
Symptoms
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Cushing's disease develops slowly. Veterinarians usually detect the disease after its progression is well under way. The typical vizsla dog owner may notice excessive thirst and hunger, weight gain and a diminished activity level as the first indicators that something is wrong.
Treatment
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Veterinarians treat Cushing's disease with medication (Lysodren) to kill adrenal gland tissue in order to slow the disease process. This is not a cure; rather, the medication creates a homeostasis of adrenal gland destruction and regrowth, according to Roger Welton, DVM of Maybeck Animal Hospital in West Melbourne, Florida.
Prognosis
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Treating your vizsla's Cushing's disease means a lifetime of medication. Once the disease is under control, however, your dog can live a relatively full and normal life, as long as you feed a balanced diet and minimize his exposure to stressful situations.
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