Cushings Disease

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Cushings Disease & Iatrogenic Cushings Disease have different causes.

Cushings Disease is caused by pituitary gland tumours (most common) or adrenal gland tumours which cause hyperadrenocorticism (over-activity of the cortex of the adrenal glands which produce abnormally high amounts of corticosteroids).  High doses of corticosteroid drugs cause a different form – Iatrogenic Cushings Disease.

Please see Iatrogenic Cushings Disease for symptoms.

Cushings Disease occurs more commonly in older dogs. Spotting symptoms early will help with outcome. Treatment for Cushings Disease involves surgery to remove tumours (if possible) & outcome depends on the type of tumour, position of tumour & spread (secondaries). Lifetime medication is often required after surgery.

 

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