Counter Surfers Unlimited
Labsr4U Pawsitive Advice
Cushing's Disease
Cushings Disease is characterized by too much glucocorticoid production.
Animals with Cushings typically present with chronic infections usually
of the bladder, ears or skin, loss of hair, loss of muscle, weakness,
increased thirst and urination, increased appetite, and calcium deposits
in the skin. Treatment varies with the type of cushings (i.e. Is it a
primary problem with the adrenal gland or a problem with the pituitary
gland which controls the adrenal gland). The most common therapy is with
a drug that selectively kills the cells that produce the glucocorticoids.
One does have to be very careful with treatment not to over or underdo
it. Overdoing it results in Addison's disease, underdoing it results in
failure to correct the Cushing's disease.
The following article was composed by Rachel Peeples, DVM
Incidentally, Cushings Disease can be caused by high levels of
prednisone or prednisilone for long periods of time. Addison's disease
can be caused by treating with prednisone or prednisilone for long
periods of time and then stopping suddenly. Both of the cases are
correctable by appropriate changes in medication.
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