Jackie Brown reviews the basics of Cushing disease signs, diagnosis and treatment. She says it is caused by one of three things:
- A tumor on the pituitary gland at the base of the brain (this gland is responsible for telling the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol). This type of Cushing’s disease is pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH). The most common cause of Cushing’s disease in dogs, this form of Cushing’s sometimes occurs in younger dogs.
- A tumor on the adrenal gland. This type of Cushing’s disease is adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. Large-breed dogs often have this form of Cushing’s.
- Overuse of steroid medications. This type of Cushing’s disease is iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome.
Source: Dogster, March 12, 2018.
Excessive drinking and urination are symptoms of many different issues, from diabetes to kidney disease, but another concern is Cushing’s disease in dogs, which is also called hyperadrenocorticism.