Iatrogenic Cushing’s Disease

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Iatrogenic Cushing’s Disease is Cushing’s Disease caused by using corticosteroids such as prednisone to treat AIHA IMHA and bone marrow failure. Prednisone reduction will eventually reduce  Cushing’s Disease.

Symptoms of Iatrogenic Cushings Disease in dogs include:

• Low energy, extreme tiredness, inability to jump on beds, settees etc.
• Increased thirst and urination.
• Increased appetite to the point of greed, stealing and begging for food.
• Panting, shortness of breath and overheated. Always on a cool surface.
• Potty belly due to muscle weakness, fat redistribution and water retention.
• Muscle weakness leads to instability in standing and walking.
• Significant coat problems and hair loss. Hair is unable to grow back until the dose is lowered.
• Dry, flaking, and thinning skin, risk of staph infections, difficulty with wound healing, darkening and blackening of skin.
• Risk of developing iatrogenic diabetes.
• Increased susceptibility to infections.
• Liver swelling with increased liver enzymes ALP, ALKP.
• Calcinosis Cutis a condition of calcium deposits  in the skin.
• Hypothyroidism

Symptoms will subside as the dosage is reduced. A protocol of graded prednisone reduction is require to avoid inducing Addison’s Disease (hypoadrenocorticism) This is a condition of the adrenal glands when they are unable to produce enough cortisol to respond to stress. Adrenal glands shrink in response to excess doses of prednisone (cortisol) and stop producing their own cortisol. They need to be gradually woken up to start working properly again.

See also Cushing’s Disease which has different causes.

See also prednisone for further information & advice.

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