High levels of steroid hormone in the blood suppress the immune system and healing process so animals with Cushing’s disease may have repeated infections or wounds that do not heal as quickly as expected. In Cushing’s disease, fat is deposited in the liver making it swell and this may be visible causing the abdomen to hang down with a pot-bellied appearance. You may notice that your dog is panting a lot or they may develop joint problems. Steroid hormones cause muscle wasting and weak muscles may make it difficult for your pet to exercise. Purplish pink stretch marks may appear on the abdomen. Other symptoms appear in the skin, which becomes fragile and thin.

The hair is lost in patches (particularly over the flanks) but there is no scratching. However, not all dogs with Cushing’s disease have increased thirst.Īn increased appetite (and weight gain) is also very common in Cushing’s disease but owners may not recognise this as a sign of illness.Ĭushing’s disease causes changes to the skin and haircoat. If your dog is drinking more (or is suddenly needing to get up in the night to urinate) you should always take them to the vet for a check-up. The most obvious sign of Cushing’s disease is increased thirst. The steroid hormones affect almost every tissue in the body and the signs of Cushing’s disease can be diverse. In the normal animal cortisol is produced mainly at times of stress – in Cushing’s disease the levels of cortisol in the blood are always too high. When the adrenal glands receive the signal from the pituitary they respond by producing cortisol. The hormones produced by this gland stimulate the adrenal glands. Cortisol production is regulated by hormones produced in the brain (from the pituitary gland). regulate the use of proteins, carbohydrates and fats in the bodyīecause cortisol is so vital to health, the amount of cortisol produced by the adrenal glands is precisely balanced.balance the effects of insulin in breaking down sugar for energy.slow the immune system’s inflammatory response.Among its other vital tasks, cortisol helps to: Scientists think that cortisol has hundreds of possible effects in the body.

In the normal dog cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands, (which are located just in front of the kidneys).

It is also sometimes called “hyperadrenocorticism” or “hypercortisolemia”.Ĭushing’s disease is caused by an excess of the steroid hormone, cortisol. It is called Cushing’s disease because it was named after a famous neurosurgeon, Harvey Cushing, who first recognised it. Cushing’s disease is caused by prolonged exposure of the body’s tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol.

Dog adrenal gland disease