When your dog's adrenal glands regularly produce too much cortisol, it can develop Cushing's disease. Untreated, Cushing's produces systemic damage, including liver enlargement, hair loss and thinning skin. The drug ketoconazole is one Cushing's disease treatment.
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History
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Introduced in 1991 as an anti-fungal to treat yeast infections, including candida, histoplasma and coccidioides, ketoconazole limits cortisol production as a side effect. This makes it useful in treating Cushing's.
Benefits
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Some medications for Cushing's dogs suppress cortisol production to the point that dogs develop cortisol deficiency, or Addison's disease. Ketoconazole, says Mar Vista Vet, can't do this, so dogs taking it don't need their cortisol levels monitored.
Dosage
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Dogs get a low introductory dose of ketoconazole for a week; if they tolerate it well, they are put on higher maintenance doses. Administer ketoconazole capsules twice daily.
Side Effects
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While some dogs experience vomiting and diarrhea when first getting ketoconazole, the side effects subside when it's stopped. Lowering the dosage and resuming treatment usually will prevent the problems.
Considerations
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The Cushing's drug Lysodren is given only once or twice weekly, making it both more convenient and less expensive than ketoconazole.
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