Cushing's Disease In Dogs

Tags: dogs, pets, diseases, cushing's disease

Dog diseases are fairly easy to detect because of the symptoms they display. For every disease corresponds many symptoms, often being confused as another ailment until it has been properly diagnosed. As your pet ages, every pet owners expect changes to take place, such as become less active during physical activities, or having their hair strands fall off.

Other “changes” that happen to their pooches are a loss of appetite and failing eyesight. But what if there exists a disease that displays these very symptoms and other signs that are very similar to that of an aging dog? This disorder would be passed off as natural, and would be left to worsen and go on without proper medical attention.

Unluckily for us, it does exist – it's known as Cushing's Disease, a disorder that happens to the pooch's adrenal gland. What makes it so lethal is its ability to “kill you softly”. An ailment that's very hard to detect indeed, and worse is that it strikes gradually during the pet's prime and onwards.

Other symptoms of Cushings Disease includes a sagging belly. This is also to be confused with being bloated, but its main cause is the weakness of muscles. The abdominal muscles have become soft, losing their capability to hold up the stomach. This is also what causes lethargy in your pet; also known as being lazier than usual.

It doesn't happen instantly though; again taking place through a gradual process. Take walking for example – at first it would be able to walk 5 miles a day, then in a few months or even weeks it would walk 4 miles. As times passes it wouldn't even be walking at all, and probably would get out of bed sluggishly.

Skin problems will also appear – a dog that with this disorder will also have thinner skin, making it more susceptible to contracting infections. Behavioral problems would happen; if your pet used to go outside to take a dump or unload pee, it wouldn't anymore. Many owners fail to see this as a life threatening disease and fail to go to their veterinarians for professional consultation and a check-up.

If the Cushing's Disease is left untreated, there'll be a rise of many more life endangering diseases, such as kidney failure, heart disease, diabetes, and more serious forms of eye and ear conditions - this would eventually cause the death of your pet. The best way to deal with the disorder is to have semi-annual check-ups; Cushing's Disease can be detected through blood tests.

There are drugs available that can help alleviate its condition – a series of medications will be needed that'll help the adrenal gland function properly, as well as one that will balance the chemicals of its brain, improving its behavior. Surgery may also be needed for the removal of any tumors inside the gland.

It's said there is no cure for the root ailment; the information stated above is only for dealing with secondary diseases and somewhat regressing the disorder. This may be pricey, but it's the best way to lessen the burden your pooch is bearing.

About the author

Alex De La Cruz is a successful Dog Trainer who has been advising and coaching dog owners for many years. Alex now decided to share his knowledge through this site, Doggyweb.info. You can sign up for his free weekly newsletter and learn how to keep your dog healthy and happy.

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