Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism)

Endocrine and MetabolicCanineNew

Key Points

Canine Cushing’s (hyperadrenocorticism) is an endocrinopathy caused by excessive glucocorticoid levels (particularly cortisol)
Most often seen in middle-aged to older dogs
The majority of cases are pituitary-dependent, but ~15% cases are adrenal-dependent and <1% are iatrogenic
Key clinical signs include polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, pot-belly and dermatological changes
A good approach to diagnosis is combining clinical suspicion, low-dose dexamethasone for screening, high-dose dexamethasone to differentiate ADH and PDH, then further tests to identify any concurrent conditions
- ACTH stimulation test is most used to monitor response to treatment
Trilostane is first-line for treating PDH whereas adrenalectomy is the treatment of choice for ADH
- The biggest risk with treatment is iatrogenic hypoadrenocorticism
Common complications of Cushing’s include recurrent infections, hypertension, proteinuria and thromboembolism

Differential Diagnoses

Diabetes mellitus
Hypothyroidism
Neoplasia
Alopecia X

Educational content only. This factsheet is for general veterinary education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Not for use in an emergency — contact a veterinarian or emergency service. Full disclaimer →