When Your Dog Does These Things She Could Be Screaming, ‘I’m Sick!’

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• Cushing’s disease, also called hyperadrenocorticism, is a condition primarily of dogs involving the chronic release of too much cortisol by the adrenal glands
• An overproduction of cortisol is called typical Cushing’s disease, and can be either adrenal dependent, or more commonly, pituitary dependent; “atypical” Cushing’s involves the overproduction of aldosterone or sex hormones
• Cushing’s syndrome can produce a variety of diverse symptoms, including increased thirst and urination, hair loss and weight gain around the abdomen
• Risk factors for atypical Cushing’s appear to include early spaying and neutering, and exposure to xenoestrogens and other external estrogen mimics
• It’s crucial to catch signs of Cushing’s early, before it becomes full-blown. Many pre-Cushing’s patients can be successfully treated with nutraceuticals, Chinese herbs, homeopathics, nutritional therapy and lifestyle management (reducing biologic stress)