How to Treat Cushing's Disease in Dogs

Cushing's disease is common in many domestic animals, including dogs. It typically strikes older canines and causes a variety of unpleasant symptoms and potentially dangerous complications. Fortunately, Cushing's disease in dogs is very manageable, and its effects can be minimized if you start the treatment early. You can treat Cushing's disease in your dog with a few easy steps and the help of a veterinarian.

Instructions

1. Watch for the signs of Cushing's disease in canines, especially if you have a dog that is 10 years old or older. These include excessive thirst and urination, increased food consumption, sagging belly, slow hair growth, dull hair, lethargy, ease of bruising and seizures.

2. Take the dog to the veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis. Many of the symptoms of Cushing's disease are similar to those caused by other canine health problems. A veterinarian can assess the dog and make a definitive diagnosis. Veterinarians usually do this through urinalysis and blood work. Because Cushing's disease can be tricky to diagnose, many doctors use a combination of tests.

3. Consider the treatment options for Cushing's disease given by the veterinarian. They might include surgery to remove the adrenal tumor that is causing the disease. If the tumor is on the pituitary gland, the doctor most likely won't recommend a surgical approach. Radiation is another option if the dog is not too old. Otherwise, drugs such as Lysodren, Ketaconazole or Anipryl will be prescribed. Your veterinarian can explain why she is making her specific recommendations, and give the pros and cons of each treatment if she offers more than one option.

4. Choose a treatment option, and if you choose medication--follow through with the administration schedule. Medication to treat Cushing's disease can only work properly if you give it to your dog as the veterinarian has prescribed. To make sure that you don't run out of medication, you may be able to set up an automatic refill program with a mail-order or online veterinary prescription service such as Wedgewood Pharmacy or 1800petmeds. See "Additional Resources," below, for more information.

5. If the Cushing's disease treatment does not seem to be working for your dog, consult your veterinarian to see if he needs to make an adjustment. Sometimes it takes some experimentation to get a medication dosage at the right level, or the dog might be more responsive to a different drug choice.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't treat this disease, it will compromise your dog's immune system and leave it vulnerable to dangerous infections. Cushing's disease in dogs also boosts the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure, liver and kidney failure, and blood clots. The success rate for treatment is good if the dog is diagnosed early, but if you let the disease progress it could cause irreversible--and potentially fatal--damage.

Resources

• Information on Cushing's disease in dogs
• Wedgewood Pharmacy
• 1800petmeds website