Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cushing's syndrome risk factors in 21,281 dogs studied
By Carotenuto, Gaia et al.·Published in Open veterinary journal·2019·Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cushing's syndrome-an epidemiological study based on a canine population of 21,281 dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study of over 21,000 dogs found that Cushing's syndrome, a condition caused by high cortisol levels, affects about 0.20% of dogs. The research showed that older dogs, especially neutered females, are at a higher risk for developing this condition. Certain breeds, like Standard Schnauzers and Fox Terriers, were also found to be more likely to develop Cushing's syndrome compared to mixed breed dogs. If you notice symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, or a pot-bellied appearance in your dog, it’s important to consult your veterinarian for further evaluation and potential treatment options.
People also search for: dog Cushing's syndrome symptoms · neutered female dog health risks · Standard Schnauzer Cushing's syndrome
Abstract
The epidemiological characteristics of spontaneous hypercortisolism (HC) were derived from 21,281 client-owned dogs selected from four private veterinary clinics and one university reference center for endocrinology. The odds ratio (OR) method was employed to investigate the risk of developing HC related to breed, gender, and sexual status. The estimated prevalence of HC in the four private clinics was 0.20% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.13-0.27] and was significantly different compared to the university reference center (1.46%; 95% CI, 1.12-1.80). Sex, breed, and age resulted in risk factors for HC. Mean (± SD) age for dogs with HC was 9.8 (± 2.5) yr. Females had higher risk for HC compared to males (OR 1.85; 95% CI, 1.24-2.75); all neutered dogs (both males and females) had higher risk than intact dogs (OR 2.54; 95% CI, 1.72-3.73); and neutered females had higher risk compared to intact females (OR 2.61; 95% CI, 1.54-4.42). Using the mixed breed dogs as a control population (OR = 1), the risk of developing HC was significantly higher in the Standard Schnauzer (OR 58.1;< 0.0001) and Fox Terrier (OR 20.33;< 0.0001). With regard to HC, this study identified an overall prevalence of 0.20%. The data support the existence of sex predisposition, with the highest risk for neutered females.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31086762/