“Living with Cushing’s
Syndrome”
Murray, my soon-to-be, 9-year
old Dachshund starting showing signs of his old age…or though I thought. He started developing a potbelly, even though I
wasn’t feeding him any more or exercising him any less; he was excessively drinking – I was constantly filling his water bowl which
meant he needed to go outside more; he was panting more, even in the air conditioning; his hair was thinning; he was stiff when he got up from sleep
or a nap. And while Dachshunds are known to love to eat, his appetite was different, he never seemed to get
satisfied. Because Murray’s symptoms started about 6 months from his 9th birthday and none seemed to be serious,
I chalked it up to old age (at 42 I have some of these symptoms too).
However, on his last annual visit I mentioned some of his symptoms to my
vet; lucky enough, she said, “Let’s rule out Cushing’s (also called hyperadrenocorticism) disease.”
Because all of Murray’s symptoms are symptoms of Cushing’s disease and are due to excess cortisone in the body; if untreated, it
can progress to life-threatening conditions including congestive heart failure, liver and kidney failure, or diabetes.
So, I had to bring him in and leave him for the day.
A baseline blood sample is drawn in the morning, then an injection of desamethasone is given and a blood test is done 8 hours
later. In a normal dog, the desamethasone should suppress cortisol levels in the blood stream; in Cushing’s the opposite
effect occurs. Murray should have been at a level 5 and he was at 37. So we knew he had
Cushing’s. Once the disease is diagnosed then you must determine if it is an adrenal gland tumor or pituitary gland
tumor. The adrenal glands are regulated by the pituitary gland situated in the brain. The pituitary produces a
hormone, ACTH. ACTH stimulates the adrenal gland to produce cortisones. If adrenal gland tumor exists, it can
be removed. Pituitary gland tumor is treated with medication.
Murray has a pituitary gland
tumor. He is on a medication Selegiline. Another medication Lysodren is often prescribed.
The most dangerous period is the first 6 months after treatment begins. While none of the treatments restore normal adrenal
or pituitary function getting the right amount of medication to suppress the levels of cortisol is crucial. Murray started with
just 5mil of Selegiine, but is now up to 15mil. However, once the right treatment is found, Murray may live several more good
quality years.
Cushing’s disease usually happens in older dogs (6+
years.) High risk breeds for this disease include Silky, Bull, Boston, and Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds, standard, toy and
miniature poodles, Beagles, German Shepherds, and Labradore Retrievers.
While, if you own one of the above breeds who have one or more of the
above symptoms, don’t panic. However, it doesn’t hurt to check; the cost ($100+/-) is worth the piece of
mind.
Murray has about 4 more months
until he is out of the danger zone…keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
