Endocrine Diseases in Dogs

Thyroid Disease

• As with humans he thyroid gland regulates a dog's metabolism. Disease occurs when secretion of the thyroid hormone fails. Symptoms include weight gain, hair loss, lethargy, skin infections and decreased interest in exercise. Treatment often involves supplementing the necessary hormone or thyroid medication. Tests are repeated to monitor progress. Thyroid disease can go undiagnosed for years, but treatment usually results in a normal life.

Diabetes

• In diabetic dogs, the endocrine glands malfunction, resulting in insulin deficiency. Symptoms include excessive drinking and urination, and weight loss. Early treatment has a high success rate. While there is no cure, diabetes can be managed with a change in diet and exercise regimen. Insulin dosage can be adjusted as needed, allowing most dogs to live a normal life. Diabetes is hereditary, with larger dogs being more vulnerable.

Pancreatitis

• Pancreatitis usually affects middle-aged dogs. An inflamed pancreas can be caused by trauma or by obesity and fatty foods. Symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and decreased appetite. Withholding food and water for a day usually stops the vomiting, with fluids sometimes used to prevent dehydration. Your vet might prescribe pain relievers. Once diagnosed, dogs sometimes require a special diet permanently but usually recover with correct treatment.

Addison's Disease

• A rare endocrine disorder, Addison's occurs when the adrenal glands can't produce sufficient steroid hormones. This can be due to adrenal gland damage and pituitary failure. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, joint pain, shivering and darkened skin areas. Symptoms vary over time, making Addison's difficult to diagnose. If the dog reaches a critical point, he can go into renal failure, which can require intravenous fluids to assist in rehydration. Various treatments are available and effective once the specific type of Addison's is determined. You dog will likely need lifelong medication and monitoring, but his quality of life should remain good.

Cushing's Disease

• Common in all breeds of older dogs, Cushing's disease is the opposite of Addison's, in that the adrenal glands produce excess hormones. There are two types of this disease which progresses slowly. Symptoms resemble those of other diseases and include increased appetite, drinking and urination, protruding abdomen, skin lumps, hair loss, high blood pressure and muscle weakness. Exhibiting normal signs of aging, dogs often don't seem seriously ill. Cushing's can be caused by tumors of the adrenal or pituitary gland. Adrenal tumors can be removed surgically, but 80 percent of cases are triggered by pituitary tumors. Several treatments are available, and medication usually effectively manages the disease. While there is no cure, early intervention adds years to dogs' lives.

Precautions

• All dogs should be examined regularly by their veterinarian. The more promptly a disease is diagnosed, the more effective the treatment is. Reading about hereditary issues in breeds will alert owners to concerns.