Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cushing's syndrome causes and dog types in Australia
By Langner, Kfa et al.·Published in Australian veterinary journal·2025·Western Australian Veterinary Emergency and Specialty, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Patient signalment and aetiology of hypercortisolism in Australian dogs with Cushing's syndrome.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 200 Australian dogs with Cushing's syndrome, a condition caused by high cortisol levels, were studied to understand their characteristics. Most of these dogs were small breeds, with Maltese dogs being particularly affected and diagnosed at a younger age than others. The majority had a type of Cushing's called ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism. This information can help veterinarians identify dogs at risk for Cushing's syndrome and guide treatment decisions.
People also search for: Cushing's syndrome in dogs · Maltese dog health issues · symptoms of high cortisol in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Patient characteristics of Cushing's syndrome differ between countries and have not been assessed in the Australian dog population. This study describes signalment and distribution of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent hypercortisolism (ADH) and ACTH-independent hypercortisolism (AIH) in Australian dogs. ANIMALS: Two-hundred client-owned dogs that had endogenous ACTH concentrations measured by radioimmunoassay. METHODS: Animals with Cushing's syndrome were identified from laboratory accessions and signalment details recorded. Dogs were classified as having ADH or AIH based on their endogenous ACTH concentration and, if equivocal, by additional data obtained from medical records. RESULTS: Dogs had a median age of 11 years (range 3.5-18) and median body weight of 8.6 kg (2.5-50.8) with 67% of dogs weighing <10 kg and 83% <20 kg. The majority were female (62%) and neutered (91%). Maltese dogs comprised 19% of the study population and were over-represented relative to the general dog population. Dogs of this breed were diagnosed at an earlier age than other breeds and crosses. One hundred and eighty seven of 200 dogs (93.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 89.1-96.4) were diagnosed with ADH and 5 dogs (2.5%; 95% CI: 0-0.05) with AIH; an aetiology could not be established for the remaining dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Australian dogs with Cushing's syndrome were mostly small breed dogs and almost exclusively had ADH. Maltese dogs were frequently affected and developed the disease earlier in life compared with other breeds. These data can facilitate identification of Australian dogs at risk for the disease and assist in diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39817411/