Related Articles * Cushing's Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism) 1 Symptoms of Cushing's Syndrome 2 What Exactly is Cushing's Disease 3 Testing: Laboratory Hints Suggesting Cushing's Syndrome 4 Testing: Confirming Cushing's Syndrome 5 Classifying Cushing's Syndrome: Pituitary vs Adrenal 6 Treatment: Pituitary Cushing's Syndrome 7 Pituitary Macroadenoma: an FAQ 8 Adrenal Tumor Treatment

Does your Dog have Cushing’s Syndrome?
 
There are many clinical signs associated with Cushing’s syndrome (also called hyperadrenocorticism) in dogs. These signs usually come on very gradually and, because of this slow onset, these changes are often written off as part of the normal aging process. The following list of common symptoms that an owner might observe in their pet at home is:

• Drinking excessively
• Urinating excessively
• Incontinence 

Owners often notice that lately the water bowl must be filled more frequently than in the past. Some dogs are unable to hold their bladder all night and begin crying to go outside during the night when previously this was unnecessary.

Also, urinary tract infections may also be detected and true urine leaking may be observed.

How Much Water Consumption is Normal?

Each day a dog should drink about 1 cup of water for each 10 pounds of body weight.

Increased or even Ravenous Appetite

This symptom often leads dogs to beg incessantly or steal food from the garbage. It is important for an owner not to be fooled by the pet’s good appetite; eating well is not necessarily a sign of normal health.

Pot-bellied Appearance 

This symptom, seen in over 90% of Cushing’s syndrome dogs, results from hormonal redistribution of body fat plus a breakdown of abdominal musculature.

Muscle Weakness

Muscle protein is broken down in Cushing’s syndrome. The result may be seen as exercise intolerance, lethargy, or reluctance to jump up on furniture or climb stairs.

Skin Disease 

The classical signs of endocrine (hormonal) skin diseases are:

1. Hair loss on the main body sparing the head and legs
2. Thin, wrinkled skin with poor wound healing
3. Hair that does not grow back after clipping.
4. Blackheads and darkening of the skin, especially on the abdomen.
5. Persistent or recurring skin infections (especially if the dog is not itchy during times when the skin infection is cleared)

Another condition of the skin which may be observed is called calcinosis cutis, in which calcium deposits occur within the skin. These are raised, hard, almost rock-like areas that can occur almost anywhere on the body.

Some other notable findings might include: excessive panting and shortness of breath, infertility, extreme muscle stiffness (called pseudomyotonia - a very rare symptom in Cushing’s disease), and high blood pressure.

Aside from the symptoms described above, advanced untreated Cushing's disease puts a dog at risk for the following serious problems:  

Calcium oxalate bladder stones

Diabetes mellitus

Pulmonary thromboembolism

When Cats Develop Cushing’s Disease 

In cats, the clinical features of Cushing’s disease are similar to those in dogs: excess water consumption, muscle wasting, pot-bellied appearance, thin coat, and skin abnormalities. Some cats develop a peculiar curling-in of their ear tips. An important difference to note is that while only 10% of dogs with Cushing’s disease develop diabetes mellitus, 80% of cats with Cushing’s disease develop diabetes mellitus. Diabetes in an animal with Cushing’s disease is very difficult to control until the Cushing’s disease is controlled.

Learn more about diabetes mellitus in cats.

Date Published: 1/1/2001
Date Reviewed/Revised: 01/15/2010