Understanding Canine Cushing’s Disease

Cushing’s disease is very common in older dogs but most of the time it goes undiagnosed. This is due to the fact that many owners assume what they are seeing is nothing more than the natural aging process for their beloved pet. Some of these signs include changes in weight, excessive hair loss, and losing control of their bladder. These signs can lead some owner’s to believe they should do their dog a favor and have them put down.

What they don’t realize though is their dog may have Cushing’s disease which can be treated. Understanding what this disease is means you can help your dog live a better life. You can also get rid of those thoughts to put them dog as they will have plenty of years left to live a healthy lifestyle. One of the best ways for you to understand this disease is to make sure you know what is normal and healthy for your particular dog.

Located at the base of the brain is the pituitary gland which is responsible for producing Adrenocorticotrophic hormone, commonly referred to as ACTH. This process is regulated by another part of the brain known as the hypothalamus. When ACTH is produced it is released into the bloodstream. The presence of it results in two adrenal glands in close proximity to the kidneys kicking in. The produce a Cortisol like substance called Glucocorticoid into the blood.

The body needs Cortisol in order to deal with stress successfully. It also plays a role in many of the different functions of the body. For example it helps to regulate blood sugar levels, fat metabolism, the skeletal muscles, the function of the kidneys, how your immune system responds, the central nervous system, and even the cardiovascular system. When you have stress your body will produce more Cortisol and this can have a negative impact upon your body.

High Cortisol levels can result in a person storing food as fat, suffering from pain, and even getting infections in their body. Your dog has the same time of reaction to Cortisol in their bodies as well. When there isn’t enough Cortisol in the body though the pituitary ends up placing more ACTH into the bloodstream. The process will continue for your dog when they are healthy to help balance these levels in their bodies.

When your dog has Cushing’s disease something in that process isn’t working like it should. This could be the result of a tumor in the pituitary gland, an adrenal tumor, or due to medications or other factors brought on by the care of your veterinarian. When these scenarios present themselves, there is too much Cortisol in the blood. As a result your dog is being poisoned by its own body and it isn’t able to successfully regulate the amount of Cortisol in the bloodstream.