Another Name: Cushing's disease

Disease Description: A disease where the adrenal glands are overactive.

Inherit Mode: unknown

Disease Symptom: Cortisol affects many body functions including the metabolism of protein, carbohydrate and fat, the immune response, and the inflammatory response. Because of this, there are a wide variety of signs which may be associated with this disorder. Hyperadrenocorticism is insidious in onset and progresses slowly. Usually the first signs are a gradual increase in appetite, drinking and urination. These changes may be overlooked until other abnormalities are noticed such as symmetrical hair loss over the trunk of the body, thinning skin, muscle wasting, a pendulous abdomen, panting,and an inflammatory skin condition called calcinosis cutis. Poor wound healing and an increased susceptibility to skin infections are also common.

Disease Cause: -

Disease Diagnose: Diagnosis is based on typical clinical signs as described above, laboratory abnormalities, and adrenal function tests which will help your veterinarian to determine if the disease is caused by abnormal pituitary stimulation of the adrenal glands, or by an adrenal tumour.

Treat Method: If an adrenal tumour can be identified, it may be possible to remove it surgically, depending on the location and size of the tumour and whether it is benign or malignant. For hyperadrenocorticism due to pituitary disease, or for inoperable adrenocortical tumours, medical treatment is used. There are several effective drugs available to decrease the production of cortisol by destroying part of the adrenal gland or by blocking synthesis. Your veterinarian will tell you what to expect with the use of these drugs and will monitor your dog's response to treatment carefully. Improvement in some clinical signs (more normal appetite and water intake) occurs quickly; reversal of skin and hair coat changes often takes 3 to 6 months; clinical pathological changes (elevations in liver enzymes for example) may take even longer to resolve.

Breeder Advice: Since little is known about the inheritance of this condition, the best advice for prevention is to select breeding dogs from families with no history of the disorder.

Disease Description Source: Link