The animals produce certain hormones necessary for the functioning of their organism, when some of these are produced in excess, as in the case of cortisol, the animal begins to present serious problems such as Cushing’s syndrome.

To know what Cushing’s syndrome is about, how to recognize it and what is the treatment to follow, we invite you to read the following lines with all the information related to this topic.

What is Cushing’s syndrome?

Cushing’s syndrome is an endocrine disease that usually occurs in older dogs, and is caused by the excess production of the hormone cortisol. This condition generates that the metabolism of the animal is altered and that its defenses go down in a considerable way.

This syndrome is more common in dogs of small breeds and, in general, is due to the appearance of tumors in the pituitary gland or adrenal glands.

How to recognize Cushing’s syndrome?

One of the most common symptoms produced by the syndrome is excessive thirst, which causes dogs to drink plenty of water and urinate uncontrollably. This is usually the most determinant indicator of the disease.

Also, pets can present other symptoms such as weight loss, increased appetite, hair loss, excessive panting, thinning, dark skin and a weakened physical condition to the point that the animal is not able to perform their daily routines.

The appearance of these symptoms occurs gradually, as the disease progresses.

For this reason, it is recommended that as soon as you notice that your pet is excessively thirsty, take it to the specialized veterinarian to perform the necessary checkup to rule out the disease.

What are the causes of Cushing’s syndrome?

There are three causes that produce the syndrome. The first and most common is the appearance of a tumor in the pituitary gland.

The second cause is due to the appearance of a tumor in the adrenal gland, that is, in the upper part of the kidneys. Despite not being the most frequent cause, it has been reported that the syndrome occurs in at least 20% of cases.

The third cause is produced by taking excess glucocorticoid that produces high doses of cortisol.

Treatment of the syndrome

Depending on the cause, it is best to perform a surgical procedure to remove the tumor that causes the syndrome. However, this depends on its location and that it has not spread.

Some veterinarians prefer to medicate the animal with treatments that help to diminish the size of the tumor to the point that it disappears, but, in the same way, this will depend on the state of the same.

If you notice that your pet has any of these symptoms, do not wait and take it immediately to the veterinarian to have the necessary exams and determine the appropriate treatment to improve your health.