Cushings Syndrome
Cushing’s syndrome or canine Hyperadrenocorticisim is the term given to an endocrine condition characterised by an excessive amount of cortisol being released into the body. It is a common endocrine disorder often undiagnosed due to the symptoms of Cushing’s being mistaken for general ageing.
Symptoms
Clinical signs of Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s) include:
- Polydipsia (normal = 50-60 ml/kg/day).
- Polyuria (normal = 20-40 ml/kg/day).
- Polyphagia - often results in scavenging or stealing.
- Pot-belly - due to fat deposition, weakness of abdominal muscles and hepatomegaly.
- Thinning of the skin.
- Hair loss - cortisol has an inhibitory effect on the anagen growth phase of the hair cycle.
- Excessive panting.
- Lethargy.
- Neurological signs can occur with a large pituitary tumour.
