What is Cushing's Disease?
Cushing's disease is the common name for a disease called hyperadrenocorticism that most commonly affects people, dogs, cats, and ferrets
Dr. Steve Schwartz, Director, Veterinary Medical Centers, Humane Society of Missouri
It's caused by a hyperactive adrenal gland that pumps too many steroids and other hormones into the bloodstream. It can be caused by a growth in the adrenal gland or the pituitary gland.
The adrenal gland produces a wide range of hormones, and Cushing's disease can cause the overproduction of any one or more of them. Because of this, the symptoms of the disease can vary widely, and they can be extremely subtle. In dogs, Cushing's disease will often cause the overproduction of hormones called glucocorticoids, which are steroids. This will cause some of a dog's muscle to break down, giving him a thin-legged, potbellied look.
Read more on the Humane Society of Missouri web site.
