Cushing's disease causes chronic hormonal imbalance in dogs, producing progressive symptoms that significantly reduce quality of life if left untreated.
Dogs with Cushing's disease experience significant and progressive suffering. Chronic excess cortisol causes muscle wasting that weakens the limbs and causes the characteristic pot-belly from abdominal muscle atrophy. Skin becomes thin, fragile, and prone to infection — calcified skin plaques (calcinosis cutis) are painful. Hair loss is extensive and cosmetically distressing. Excess thirst and urination disrupt sleep and normal household routines. Hypertension damages the eyes, kidneys, and cardiovascular system. The associated immune suppression causes recurrent infections. Despite treatment being available, the disease is frequently underdiagnosed because early signs are subtle and owners often attribute changes to normal aging. Prompt diagnosis and treatment significantly improves quality of life and reduces the duration of untreated suffering.