Cushing’s disease, hyperadrenocorticism, results in overproduction of adrenal gland hormones, most commonly glucocorticoids. This disease is the exact opposite of Addison’s disease, in which the adrenal glands make too little hormone. The disorder is relatively common in middle-aged to older dogs and rare in cats. Cushing’s disease usually occurs as a result of a benign (non-cancerous) tumor of the pituitary gland. Rarely a tumor (benign or cancerous) of the adrenal gland(s) may occur. Long term administration of corticosteroids causes a steroid-induced Cushing’s syndrome that usually resolves whenever the pet is weaned off of the steroids.

Clinical signs resemble those seen in older pets with other diseases such as kidney disease or diabetes mellitus. Pets with Cushing’s disease often have increased water intake, increased urine output, increased appetite, and weight gain. Secondary infections of the skin and bladder are common in pets with Cushing’s disease.

Treatment Options (Always Consult Your Veterinarian)

Glandulars – Adrenal glandular supplements use whole animal tissues or extracts of the adrenal gland which have activity against specific activity and contain active substances that can exert physiologic effects.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (fish oil primarily, also flax oil) – Dosed at 10 mg/pound of body weight 1-3 times daily.

Antioxidants – Antioxidants include vitamins A, C, and E, minerals such as selenium, and other substances such as coenzyme Q-10, bilberry, blueberry, resveratrol, OPC’s, etc., work by reducing cell-harming oxidizing chemicals released upon cell damage and death.

Herbs – astragalus, burdock, dandelion root, nettle, Siberian ginseng.

Homeopathics – Calcarea, Graphites

Homotoxicology – Graphites Homaccord

Author – Dr. Shawn Messonnier, DVM