Adrenal Tumors in Dogs
29 Mar 2007
The symptoms of Cushings disease in dogs are often mistaken for normal signs of canine aging. But in fact, such symptoms may surface due to a hyperactive adrenal gland.
Although this disease cannot be cured completely, timely and adequate treatment can result in a longer and higher quality of life for the suffering dog.
The medical term used for Cushings disease is hyperadrenocorticism. Since the symptoms of the disease mimic the symptoms of other common diseases, the condition is often misdiagnosed or ignored.
Symptoms -like an increase in urination with pale, diluted urine, obesity with a pot belly, lethargy and intolerance to exercise, excessive thirst, a thin skin or alopecia (hair loss) - need to be taken seriously and warrant a visit to the veterinarian.
The major cause of hyperadrenocorticism in dogs is an excess of corticosteroids. The production of corticosteroids is controlled by a complex system that involves the pituitary gland.
The ACTH hormone, produced by the pituitary gland, moves through the blood stream and signals the adrenal glands near the kidneys to produce corticosteroids. In a healthy dog, it is a self-balancing system. However, when a tumor develops in the pituitary or adrenal glands, or when excessive administration of corticosteroids occurs for another reason, the level of required corticosteroids is compromised. This leads to Cushings disease.
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