- A dog suffering from Cushing's disease is making too much of the hormone glucocorticoid on a chronic basis. This stems from a problem in the adrenal gland or pituitary gland. Older dogs are more prone to getting Cushing's disease, and you may not notice the symptoms at first. As the disease becomes progressively worse, you may observe some of the following symptoms: increased thirst, increased appetite, hair loss and swelling in the abdomen.
To diagnose Cushing's disease, a vet takes blood and urine samples from your dog. He or she may order an abdominal ultrasound as a way to diagnose the disease. After diagnosis, the doctor will likely prescribe medication to treat the disease and control the amount of hormones produced by the adrenal gland. Lysodren and Trilostane are two examples of medications prescribed for canine Cushing's disease. If a tumor is the primary cause of the Cushing's disease, your dog may require surgery. - Cushing's disease in cats also has the diagnosis of overproduction of the hormone glucocorticoid from the adrenal gland. However in cats, the primary cause of Cushing's disease is typically a small tumor at the base of the brain. Cushing's disease is rarer in cats than in dogs. Symptoms are similar and include increased thirst, increased appetite and frequent urination. Lab work and x-rays may diagnose the disease in cats.
Treatment options for cats are more limited than those available for dogs. Although vets can us Lysodren for cats, they may find surgical removal of the adrenal glands is the most effective treatment option.