How Do You Diagnose Cushings Disease In Dogs?
Cushings Disease is also known as hyperadrenocorticism, and can be fatal. While any dog can become a victim, it is most prevalent in beagles, Boston terriers, boxers, dachshunds, poodles, and Yorkshire terriers. Look for the early symptoms, such as the dog losing a good deal of hair and/or developing thin and fragile skin. Dogs with Cushings disease have adrenal glands that produce too much cortisol, which causes them to bruise easily. You will also notice the dog drinking and urinating much more than normal. Take the dog to the vet if you notice the above symptoms. There are many tests the vet can perform to make a diagnosis of Cushings Disease. The first one he will perform is a blood test. (In fact, a blood test can pick up Cushings Disease even before any symptoms appear. That’s why you should have a blood test done on an older dog at least once a year.) Expect the vet to do a radiograph. This will help him determine how badly the dog’s liver has been damaged. With Cushings Disease
