When Would an Owner Suspect a Pituitary Macrotumor?
When a pituitary mass begins to expand, the owner is likely to notice subtle changes in behavior although nothing may be obvious with a formal physical examination. The dog may seem just off, listless or off food. Occasionally signs are more blatantly abnormal (walking in circles or seizures) but a more subtle start is more common. It should be noted in particular that it is extremely abnormal for a dog with Cushing’s disease not to have a good appetite even while on therapy. If a dog with Cushing’s disease develops a poor appetite, see the veterinarian promptly. Most dogs diagnosed with pituitary macroadenomas have been diagnosed with Cushings disease at least 6 months prior so this condition tends not to appear out of the blue in an otherwise normal dog (though in some dogs, the symptoms of Cushings disease come after the pituitary macrotumor has been found). Neurologic signs in a dog with Cushings disease would definitely be suspicious for a pituitary macrotumor. Brachycephalic bree
