This is a very complicated disease with a wide range of symptoms and causes. As a result of the chronically-elevated glucocorticoids (steroids), the affected dogs develop a classic combination of dramatic clinical signs and lesions. The disease progresses slowly. A study showed that most dogs had at least one symptom of the disease from one to six years before the disease was diagnosed. Because the symptoms occur so gradually, the owner often attributes the changes to "old age." Some dogs will have only one symptom, while others may have many.
For dogs ultimately diagnosed with Cushing's Disease, hair loss was one of the most common reasons the owners first brought their dog in for evaluation.
Sometimes owners, in the stress of the moment, forget to tell their veterinarian relevant information about their pets. Here is a handy checklist to bring with you to your next veterinary appointment. Check the box beside the question if your dog experiences any of these symptoms.
Cushing's Disease Checklist
Once you have completed the checklist, print and take to your veterinarian so you can discuss the results together. In the event your veterinarian decides to prescribe medication to your dog, you may want to print off our
Prescription Authorization Form and bookmark this information on
how to order a prescription at Drs. Foster and Smith's Licensed Pharmacy, where you can save on all of your faithful friends' prescriptions.
