Dog Cushing's Disease Management

Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease) is a common hormonal disorder in older dogs causing significant welfare impacts. Effective medical management can restore quality of life for affected animals.

Key Facts

Cushing's disease results from excess cortisol, most commonly from a pituitary adenoma (85-90% of cases)
Classic signs include pot belly, muscle wasting, hair loss, increased thirst and urination, and skin changes
Trilostane (Vetoryl) is now the preferred medical treatment over mitotane in most markets
Monitoring through ACTH stimulation tests is required regularly to prevent under or over-treatment
Untreated Cushing's significantly shortens lifespan and causes progressive discomfort and susceptibility to infections

Welfare Considerations

Dogs with unmanaged Cushing's experience a cascade of welfare harms: persistent thirst and urination disrupting sleep, skin fragility increasing infection risk, muscle weakness limiting mobility, and panting from cortisol-driven heat intolerance. Effective medical management with trilostane dramatically improves comfort and energy within weeks. However, over-treatment causing Addisonian crisis is a serious risk requiring vigilant monitoring. The welfare goal is normalized cortisol levels that restore vitality without dangerous suppression.

What You Can Do

Pursue diagnosis promptly if your older dog shows classic Cushing's signs - early treatment reduces suffering
Follow trilostane dosing schedules precisely and never miss monitoring ACTH stimulation tests
Learn signs of Addisonian crisis - lethargy, vomiting, weakness - as an emergency after starting treatment
Join Cushing's support communities for dog owners to share management strategies and monitoring protocols