ROTT N CHATTER, June 1995, Volume 3 Number 11

  

CUSHING'S SYNDROME

 

by  Kelly Skiptunas of Lancaster, PA (with help from husband Dr. Anthony,

and lots of  kisses from her Rott N Ones Artie and Ruger)

 

Unfortunately, there is yet another disease that is affecting Rottweilers

more frequently- it is known as Cushing's Disease or Cushing's Syndrome,

the technical term for the disease is hyperadrenocorticism.       The

symptoms of this disease may include any of the following :

(Please note that your dog may have one or two of these symptoms, and NOT

have Cushing's syndrome, usually there will be a combination of MANY of

these signs when the disease is present.)

 

	Increased

	  drinking

	  urination

	  appetite

	Panting

	"Pot-bellied" abdomen-(this is due to the muscles of the

	  belly becoming weak and/or enlargement of the liver)

	Loss of hair in the same pattern on both sides of the body Muscle weakness

	Muscles may begin to "waste away"

	Weakening of the heart

	Cruciate ligament ruptures

	Thinning of the skin

	Lumps in the skin which have become hardened or "calcified" Skin infections

	Diabetes

	Reproductive system abnormalities such as:

	   Wasting away of the testicles of intact males

	   Increased size of clitoris in females

	   Lumps (adenomas) around the anus in females and neutered

 	    males

	   No estrous cycle in unspayed females

	Seizures or unusual pacing

	Behavioral changes

 

     This disease may occur in Rotties due to the over-administration of

steroids, such as prednisone.  These medications can include "itch

medicine" used for allergies, medications given for lameness and limping,

eye and ear drops and ointments, and ointments and creams used on the skin

surface.  If this is the cause of the disease, the "cure" is very simple by

either reducing or modifying the amount of steroid being given, or

switching to a different medication, which doesn't contain steroids. Also,

there is the chance that the disease has occurred "naturally", and that is

where the tough part begins. It is sometimes difficult to determine the

exact cause of the disease, which, obviously, makes treatment difficult.

I will try to explain the way this disease affects the body, please bear

with me, it's kind of complicated!   There is a small organ near each

kidney known as the adrenal gland. This gland is responsible for producing

many different steroid hormones.   There is hardly a system in the body

that isn't affected by the hormones produced by the adrenals. The hormone

we need to be concerned with in Cushing's Disease is known as cortisol.

When the adrenal gland produces too much cortisol, Cushing's Disease is

usually the result.  The problem with this disease is,

 

CUSHINGS....(CONTINUED)

 

it's difficult to determine what is causing the adrenal glands to over

produce these hormones.  There is the possibility of an adrenal tumor which

would cause too much cortisol to be produced.  Adrenal gland tumors account

for about 15% of the cases of spontaneous Cushing's.

      Another reason for the over-production of cortisol may be that the dog has

a pituitary gland tumor, this is the cause in 85% of the cases.  This organ is

located at the base of the brain, and is often referred to as the "master gland "

of the body. This gland produces a number of hormones which control many

activities, including growth, reproduction, and many other processes which

occur within the dog's body.  Since it has so much "control" over the body,

when it produces too much of a hormone known as ACTH,

(adreno-corticotrophic hormone-WHEW!) this causes it to send out bad

signals to the adrenal glands.  When they receive these "bad signals" they

produce too much of the cortisol, which we talked about earlier, bringing

on the symptoms of the disease.



  Diagnosis of Cushing's can be accomplished in several ways.  There are

several blood and urine tests which can be used.  The test that is most

often used is the blood test known as low dose dexamethasone test.  Once

the disease is diagnosed, it's possible to differentiate between the

adrenal or pituitary tumor by using another blood test, known as a high

dose dexamethasone test or the ACTH response tests.   There is also a urine

test which tests for the cortisol/creatinine ratios. Also X-ray or

ultrasound can be used to find the location of the tumor, as well.  These

X-ray and ultrasound tests can be important to determine whether the tumor

has metastasized (spread) to other areas in the body.

When there is an adrenal gland tumor present, it can be surgically removed.

This requires a specialist to perform the surgery, since the surgical risk

can be high due to the location of the adrenal glands in the abdomen.

Usually, if this surgery is successful, the Rottweiler will be off all

medication within 3-6 months, and can lead a normal life.



  Pituitary tumors are usually not removed.  When these are found, medication is

usually given which will not "cure" the pituitary tumor, but will treat the

symptoms of Cushing's.  The Rottweiler must be closely monitored to assure

he or she is receiving the proper dosage of medication.  Overdoing the

medication can cause Addison's Disease, caused by an insufficient amount of

cortisol, the exact OPPOSITE of what occurs in Cushing's disease. There can

also be some side effects from the drugs used, so the dog should be watched

and seen by the veterinarian if any of these side effects occur.

You should take your Rottie to the veterinarian as soon as possible, if you

think he or she may have this disease.  The earlier it is caught, the

better the chance of a good outcome from treatment.