1300 489 873There’s nothing more painful than seeing our furry friends experience an ongoing health condition. It is a heartbreaking situation that affects us deeply. Cushing’s disease is one example of a condition that can affect our canine companions’ lives, and we want to do anything we can to help them.
Ongoing veterinary care can ensure our four-legged friends get the right diagnosis and prognosis to lead full, happy lives. And knowing about this condition can help guide us as we support our beloved pooches.
So, what is Cushing’s disease, and how do vets diagnose it? Our article will explore the ins and outs of this condition, including the tests required to diagnose it and the costs of medical care.
What is Cushing’s Disease in Dogs?
If your furry little canine has Cushing’s disease, this means they’re producing cortisol in excessive amounts. While cortisol is ideal for helping the body respond to stress and regulating the immune system, it’s damaging in consistently high amounts.
Cushing’s disease is an endocrine disorder. That means it’s related to the glands that make cortisol hormones. If left unchecked, it can progress slowly, and it can be life-threatening.
The disorder can sadly harm our loyal four-legged friends in many ways. There’s a range of other symptoms that you will notice if your furry companion has this disorder, including:
- Lethargy – a lack of energy
- Increased thirst
- Increased appetite
- Frequent urination
- Recurrent infections – like ear or skin infections
- Bloating – a bloated abdomen
- Skin issues – such as alopecia, bruising, or blackheads
How Do Vets Diagnose Cushing’s Disease?
When you notice signs like these, you’ll want to take your beloved pooch straight to the vet. In the care of these experts, your loyal canine will get excellent medical care. The vet will look for the right diagnosis before determining treatment options, and they’ll complete the following steps to do so. Check the below for more information.
Urine Cortisol Creatinine Ratio (UCCR)
First off, the vet will have a close look at the amount of cortisol in a sample of the urine to carefully determine if your pooch has Cushing’s disease. Higher urine cortisol creatinine ratios can suggest that there’s more cortisol secretion in the urine.
Your vet will likely suggest more tests if the ratio is high, because there are several conditions that can lead to a high UCCR.
Low and High Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Tests
In a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, your vet will first take a blood test and check the baseline level (the ‘starting’ level) of cortisol. Once done, they’ll inject a small amount of dexamethasone, which should inhibit the release of cortisol.
More blood cortisol tests will be done four and eight hours after the test. And if the cortisol levels stay the same, the vet may diagnose Cushing’s disease.
In a high-dose dexamethasone suppression test, a vet will inject a higher dexamethasone dose, doing so to rule out either pituitary-dependent Cushing’s disease or adrenal-dependent Cushing’s disease.
If they note that the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is suppressed after the dexamethasone dose, it may indicate a diagnosis of pituitary-dependent Cushing’s disease.
ACTH Stimulation Test
ACTH stimulation tests involve injecting an ACTH drug into the muscle and collecting blood an hour after the injection. Your vet will measure the cortisol levels to determine if the adrenal glands respond to the ACTH.
The adrenal gland response would be higher when the ACTH has been injected. Vets will look for an exaggerated response to the ACTH stimulation to tell whether the dog has this type of Cushing’s disease.
Abdominal Ultrasound
In some cases, your vet will complete an abdominal ultrasound, with the main focus of assessing the size of the dog’s adrenal glands. It is a useful procedure because the glands may be enlarged if your pet has Cushing’s disease.
The test can also help vets note if there are adrenal tumours present. If they are, this may also indicate that your dog has Cushing’s disease. The abdominal ultrasound is typically completed alongside blood tests and urine tests to diagnose the disease accurately.
Types of Cushing’s Disease in Dogs
Now that your furry friend has had the tests completed, your vet will provide a diagnosis. And, as we’ve touched on, there are a few types of Cushing’s disease they’ll want to rule out before moving to a diagnosis. Some types are listed below.
Pituitary Dependent Cushing’s Disease (PDH)
The main cause of PDH is the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain. Vets will explain that this gland causes the adrenal glands to send cortisol into the body, and the glands are responsible for excessive production of cortisol.
PDH is the main type of Cushing’s disease. It accounts for around 80% of cases in dogs.
Adrenal Dependent Cushing’s Disease (ADH)
In ADH, the adrenal glands produce too much cortisol in dogs. It can also be the case that adrenal tumors, located above each kidney, can cause the adrenal glands to produce high amounts of cortisol. Tumors in the adrenal gland account for around 20% of cases, typically in larger dog breeds.
Iatrogenic Cushing’s Disease
In this condition, corticosteroid medicines can lead to high amounts of cortisol. The medicines are often needed for a few other conditions, like allergies, inflammation reduction, cancer, and other disorders. Even though the medicines might be needed, they can be damaging when they lead to excessive cortisol levels.
What is the Cost of Cushing’s Disease?
The costs of Cushing’s disease can add up quite quickly. It’s also important to remember that the condition is chronic, so you’ll be paying similar sorts of costs as long as your beloved pet stays with you:
- Blood tests – Your furry friend will likely have two blood tests each year, which can cost around $600.
- Medication – Ongoing medication will be required to keep your pooch in good health. It can cost around $3,220 per year.
You’re looking at an approximate total of $3,820 per year, but keep in mind that this cost will depend on the vet and the location. There’s no denying that costs like these can potentially affect your savings, which is where pet insurance can make a real difference.
Find Pet Insurance at PetsOnMe to Handle Your Dog’s Health Conditions
Our four-legged friends are part of our family. We want to look after them, care for them, love them, and keep them in our lives. If your pooch is suffering from Cushing’s disease, an ongoing illness, you’ll want to make sure you can cover the costs of care.
That’s why dog insurance is so important, and you’ll find various cover levels at PetsOnMe. Our Classic Mid-Level Cover plan, for instance, covers a portion of the cost of prescribed medications, so you can get reimbursed for the costs of Cushing’s disease meds and keep your dog healthy.
Contact PetsOnMe to find out more about transparent dog insurance that has no lock-in contracts, exit fees, or sub-limits on consult fees.
Learn More About Cushing’s Disease in Dogs
What Are the Common Signs of Cushing’s Disease as it Progresses?
It includes early, developing, and advanced stages, and these include the following symptoms:
- Early stage: Your pooch might be drinking large amounts of water. They’ll also be urinating more often.
- Developing stage: You’ll notice that your dog is losing their fur. They might also gain weight over time.
- Advanced stage: You should look out for less muscle mass and a larger, rounded belly.
Which Dog Breed Is Prone to Cushing’s Disease?
A few breeds tend to experience this disease. These include:
– Poodles
– Yorkshire Terriers
– Dachshunds
Other breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, Boxers, and German Shepherds can and commonly develop Cushing’s disease too.
It’s worth noting that in these breeds, you’ll notice this in disease when they are middle-aged or older, as opposed to during their younger years.
