Cushings disease...

Cushing’s Disease In Dogs: Cushing’s disease is a disorder of the adrenal glands that produce more than the normal cortisol. It is a common disorder in domestic dogs. The causes and the symptoms of the Cushing’s disease in dogs are quite similar to those in humans. A common symptom, known as the buffalo hump, is the accumulation of fat along the collarbone and the nape of the neck. When the disease is caused by the formation of tumors on the adrenal glands, it is referred to as adrenal dependent Cushing’s. When it is caused due to tumors on the pituitary glands, it is called the pituitary dependent Cushing’s. These tumors on the glands could be malignant or benign. Dogs with pituitary adenoma could be treated with radiation therapy, while adrenalectomy or the surgical removal of the adrenal glands, maybe more suitable for those with adrenal tumors.

Cushing’s Disease In Canines: The medical term for the Cushing’s disease in domestic canines, like dogs and cats is hyperadrenocorticism. It means the overproduction of the cortisol hormone due to malfunction of the adrenal glands. The medical treatment usually includes the administration of synthetic drugs for a long period of time.

Diabetes and problems related to neuropathy in canines suffering from Cushing’s disease is very high. The disease is more commonly diagnosed in breeds like the Boston Terriers, German Shepherds, Poodles, Boxers and Scotties. Injured pets with Cushing’s do not heal quickly. Another major health problem is high blood pressure. Canines with this disease are also prone to urinary tract infections. Urine culture, multiple routine blood tests like haemotology and diagnostic imaging, like ultrasounds, CT or MRI are effective in determining the Cushing’s syndrome, in the absence of adequate symptoms. After the diagnosis, further tests may be conducted to determine whether the disorder is adrenal or pituitary dependent. Cushings is more common in older felines and frequently affects breeds like Siamese and the Persian cats. Felines often display signs like polyuria and polydipsia, excessive thirst and urination, increased appetite, enlargement of the abdomen, poor coat condition and hair loss.

Cushing’s Disease In Humans: Cushing’s disease, also known as hypercortisolism in humans, is a disorder of the endocrine system. It is caused by the presence of very high levels of cortisol hormones in the body. Cortisol is the steroid hormones produced by the adrenal glands and are responsible for the physiologic system and human behavior. The condition may also result due to administration of synthetic drugs containing cortisol, for the treatment of other medical disorders like brain tumors and skin diseases.

Symptoms in humans suffering from Cushing’s disease include, central obesity, excessive sweating, dilation of capillaries, atrophy of the skin-a fragile condition where the skin bruises and tears easily, weakness in the muscles of hips and shoulders, hyper pigmentation of the skin and hirsutism. The excessive levels of the cortisol hormones in the body may affect other endocrine systems also. This results in impotency, amenorrhoea and infertility. The other common signs are depression, hypertension and anxiety, eventually resulting in diabetes. Once the levels of cortisol in saliva samples over 24 hours have been established as ‘in excess’, CT scanning of the adrenal gland and Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI of the pituitary gland is a must.

MRI is a common form of medical imaging used to visualize the inside of living organisms. Treatment for Cushingoid patients includes surgical excision of the adrenal adenoma. Adenoma is the collection of tumors on the adrenal, pituitary or the thyroid glands. Drug therapy is known to reduce the production of the hormones.

Cushing’s Disease In Equines: An American endocrinologist, Harvey Cushing, discovered in 1932, the first case of the Cushing’s syndrome. If left untreated the syndrome can result in heart complications and sometimes even result in death. Very often the medical treatment for this disease can cause lack of sufficient cortisol, giving way to Addison’s disease. Cushing’s disease is common in equines, like horses. Equines diagnosed with Cushing’s disease display symptoms similar to those observed in other Cushingoids.