Cushing's Disease in Dogs: Signs, Diagnosis & Treatment

What is Cushing's disease in dogs and what are the Signs, Diagnosis, Treatment

Key takeaways:

Increased thirst, urination, appetite, and a pot-bellied look are the classic early signs.
Diagnosis usually needs bloodwork plus an ACTH stimulation or suppression test.
Trilostane is commonly prescribed daily medication. Disclaimer: Consult with a vet before giving any medication or drugs.
With proper monitoring, most dogs can have a good quality of life for years, even without a cure.
You’ve noticed your senior dog drinking more, needing more toilet breaks, and looking a little pot-bellied lately.
These are classic signs of Cushing’s disease in dogs. It’s one of the most common hormonal conditions vets see in older pets. It happens when the body is exposed to excessive cortisol, usually because of disease affecting the pituitary or adrenal glands, or from steroid medication.
The good news is that it’s rarely an emergency. It’s a condition you manage carefully, not one that changes everything overnight.
This guide covers the related signs of sickness and why it happens. It also covers how vets diagnose and treat it, and what daily life looks like afterwards.

What Is Cushing’s Disease in Dogs?

It’s a hormonal disorder where the body is exposed to too much cortisol. Most cases trace back to a small, usually benign, pituitary tumour that stimulates the adrenal glands to produce excess cortisol.

What Are the Symptoms of Cushing’s Disease in Dogs?

These symptoms usually build up slowly over months. That’s why they’re so often mistaken for normal ageing rather than a treatable condition.

Early Changes Pet Parents Often Miss

Increased thirst, more frequent urination, a bigger appetite, and thinning fur are easy to write off at first.

Signs That Need Prompt Veterinary Attention

Sudden weakness, panting at rest, or a swollen, pot-bellied abdomen deserve a visit to the nearest animal hospital. Muscle wasting and skin changes, like thinning or slow-healing wounds, are also worth flagging.

Why Does Hyperadrenocorticism in Dogs Happen?

Hyperadrenocorticism in dogs happens when the pituitary or adrenal glands produce too much cortisol.

Pituitary-Dependent Disease

Around 80 to 85% of cases come from a small pituitary tumour that overstimulates the adrenal glands. Most of these tumours are tiny and don’t cause problems beyond the hormone imbalance itself.

Adrenal Gland Tumours in Dogs

An adrenal gland tumour in a dog accounts for roughly 15 to 20% of naturally occurring cases. Some adrenal tumours are benign, while others are malignant, so imaging is important when an adrenal tumour is suspected.

Steroid-Related Hyperadrenocorticism in Dogs

Long-term steroid medication can cause a similar picture. This form often improves once steroids are tapered under veterinary guidance.

How Do Vets Diagnose Cushing’s Disease?

Vets diagnose Cushing’s disease through a combination of bloodwork, urine tests, and specific hormone testing.

Bloodwork, Urinalysis, and Imaging

Routine bloodwork and urinalysis often show patterns that point toward Cushing’s before specific hormone testing confirms it. Imaging, such as ultrasound, can also help spot adrenal or pituitary changes.

ACTH Stimulation and Suppression Tests for Hyperadrenocorticism

These tests measure how the adrenal glands respond to hormonal stimulation or suppression. The results help support the diagnosis, while additional testing may help distinguish the underlying type.

Why Diagnosis Can Take More Than One Visit

Results can overlap with other conditions, so vets sometimes repeat testing or add imaging to be sure. Patience here pays off with a more accurate treatment plan.

Cushing’s Disease in Dogs Treatment

Treatment depends on the underlying type. Most cases respond well to daily medication rather than surgery.

Trilostane (Vetoryl) for Dogs with Hyperadrenocorticism

Trilostane (sold as Vetoryl) is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for dogs with Cushing’s disease and reduces cortisol production by the adrenal glands.

Medication for Cushing’s Disease in Dogs

This kind of medication needs regular monitoring. Doses are adjusted based on follow-up blood tests, never guessed at home, and never stopped abruptly without veterinary advice.

Surgery and Radiation

Surgery to remove an adrenal tumour can be considered for selected dogs, particularly when the tumour is localised and operable. Radiation therapy may be considered in selected dogs with pituitary tumours, particularly when the tumour is large or causing neurological signs.

When Hyperadrenocorticism Treatment Is Not Straightforward

Some dogs have other conditions alongside Cushing’s, like diabetes or kidney disease. Managing both at once can slow down fine-tuning treatment.

How Do You Manage Cushing’s in Dogs?

Ongoing management centres on regular checks, not just the initial diagnosis. Because Cushing’s disease requires long-term monitoring, your dog may need repeat hormone testing and other health checks throughout treatment. Vetic’s diagnostic services can help with these ongoing tests, and Vetic membership may be useful for pet parents who need regular veterinary visits and monitoring.

Follow-Up Testing and Medication Checks

Repeat hormone testing, usually every few months at first, helps your vet keep the dose right. Testing usually becomes less frequent once your dog is stable on treatment.

Diet, Weight, and Daily Routines

A stable diet, steady exercise, and consistent routines all help keep symptoms controlled. Sudden changes can make hormone-level monitoring harder to interpret.

Cushing’s Disease in Senior Dogs

Cushing’s disease in senior dogs often overlaps with other age-related conditions, so regular check-ups matter more than ever.

Prognosis, Costs, and Expectations

Most dogs respond well to treatment and live comfortably for years.

Life Expectancy by Disease Type

Pituitary-dependent cases often have a good long-term outlook with treatment. Cases involving adrenal cancer carry a more guarded prognosis, depending on tumour type, spread, and whether surgery is possible.

Ongoing Hyperadrenocorticism Treatment Costs to Plan For

Expect ongoing costs for medication and repeat testing, which continue for the rest of your dog’s life. Ask your vet for a realistic estimate early on.

Common Missteps to Avoid

A few things to watch for:

Stopping medication without veterinary guidance
Skipping follow-up blood tests
Assuming symptoms are “just old age”

When to Call Your Veterinarian

Call if symptoms worsen suddenly, your dog seems weak or disoriented, or medication side effects appear. Vomiting, loss of appetite, or extreme lethargy after starting treatment need same-day attention.

Conclusion

Cushing’s disease in dogs is common, manageable, and rarely a reason to panic once it’s properly diagnosed. Catching the early signs, thirst, appetite, and that pot-bellied look, makes treatment easier to fine-tune. If any of this sounds familiar, book a check-up with Vetic to have your dog assessed.

FAQs: About Cushing’s Disease in Dogs

Is Cushing’s Disease in Dogs Painful?

Not typically. It’s more disruptive than painful day-to-day, though untreated cases can lead to complications that cause real discomfort.

Can a Dog Live a Normal Life with Cushing’s Disease?

Yes, most dogs live well for years with the right treatment and regular monitoring.

Are Some Dog Breeds More Likely to Get Hyperadrenocorticism?

Poodles, Dachshunds, Boxers, and terriers are diagnosed more often, though any breed can develop it. Age matters more than breed, with most cases appearing after age 7.

Can Cushing’s Disease Be Mistaken for Normal Ageing?

Yes, this is common. Increased thirst and a bigger belly are easy to dismiss as normal ageing.

What Happens if Cushing’s Disease in Dogs Is Left Untreated?

Left untreated, it can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, and a higher infection risk over time.

Can Dogs with Cushing’s Disease Still Take Steroids?

Only under close veterinary supervision. Steroids can worsen symptoms and need careful management if unavoidable.

Are Natural Remedies for Cushing’s Disease in Dogs Effective?

No proven natural remedy exists that replaces medication. Always discuss any supplement with your vet before trying it, since some can interfere with treatment.