Cushing's Disease in Dogs & Cats: Symptoms & Treatment
What Is Cushing's Disease?
Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism) occurs when your pet's body produces too much cortisol, a stress hormone. While cortisol is necessary in small amounts, excess levels disrupt normal body functions and create noticeable health problems.
The condition happens when a pituitary gland tumor signals the adrenal glands to overproduce cortisol. Less commonly, an adrenal tumor produces excess cortisol directly. Either way, the result is the same: your pet feels unwell, and without treatment, complications can worsen.
Who Gets Cushing's Disease?
Dogs are far more likely to develop Cushing's disease than cats. It typically appears in middle-aged and senior dogs (around age 7 and older). Certain breeds—poodles, dachshunds, terriers, and golden retrievers—show higher risk.
Cats rarely get Cushing's disease naturally, though it can happen. When it does, it often appears alongside diabetes.
Common Symptoms
Cushing's disease develops gradually, so symptoms may creep up slowly:
- Increased thirst and more frequent urination
- Increased appetite
- Hair loss or thinning coat (often on the back or sides)
- Pot-belly or sagging abdomen
- Muscle weakness or lethargy
- Panting more than usual
- Thin, fragile skin prone to bruising
- Susceptibility to urinary tract or skin infections
If you notice several of these signs, especially increased thirst combined with hair loss or appetite changes, talk to your vet.
How Vets Diagnose It
Diagnosis requires bloodwork and sometimes imaging. Your vet may:
- Run a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDS), the gold standard screening test
- Check cortisol levels in blood or urine
- Perform ACTH stimulation tests to confirm diagnosis
- Use ultrasound or CT scans to spot tumors
These tests pinpoint whether cortisol is genuinely elevated and help locate the source.
Treatment Options
Medication is the most common approach:
- Mitotane reduces cortisol production in the adrenal glands
- Trilostane blocks the enzyme needed to make cortisol (often a first-line choice)
- Ketoconazole inhibits cortisol synthesis
- Florinef may manage electrolyte imbalances
Your vet will start at a low dose, monitor blood values regularly, and adjust as needed. Finding the right dose takes patience but improves quality of life significantly.
Surgery is rarely recommended because it's risky and requires specialized expertise. It may be considered only for confirmed adrenal tumors in otherwise healthy pets.
Managing Cushing's at Home
Treatment is lifelong, but pets often improve quickly:
- Give medications exactly as prescribed—don't skip doses
- Schedule regular vet check-ups (usually every 4–12 weeks initially)
- Attend all blood tests to monitor cortisol and organ function
- Provide fresh water at all times
- Offer a balanced, nutrient-dense diet
- Keep your pet at a healthy weight
- Manage any secondary infections promptly
What's the Outlook?
With proper treatment, many dogs enjoy good quality of life for years. Symptoms improve—your pet drinks less, regains energy, and coat health improves. However, Cushing's is typically lifelong and not curable, only manageable.
Without treatment, the disease progresses and can lead to serious complications like high blood pressure, diabetes, and organ damage.
When to Call Your Vet
Seek veterinary care if your pet shows:
- Sudden increased thirst or urination
- Unexplained hair loss
- Significant appetite changes
- Lethargy or weakness
- Recurrent infections
This information is educational and not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet if you suspect your pet has Cushing's disease.
Final Thoughts
Cushing's disease is challenging, but it's treatable. Early diagnosis and consistent management help your pet feel better and live a happier life. Keep an eye on your senior pet's behavior and health changes—catching it early makes a real difference.