Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Skin itching and infections in dogs with Cushing's disease seen
By Bloomer, AnnMarie et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2025·From Animal Dermatology Clinic, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Retrospective Case Series of Patients with Hyperadrenocorticism Presenting to a Referral Dermatology Practice.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 30 dogs diagnosed with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) often showed unusual symptoms like severe itching and skin infections. Most of these dogs had a history of itching, and many were found to have bacterial skin infections during their vet visits. Some also had hair loss, while a smaller number had ear infections or foot problems. Treatment focused on managing the skin infections and addressing the underlying HAC, which helped improve their symptoms.
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Abstract
Dogs with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) present to a referral dermatology practice with clinical signs that vary from the traditional HAC signs. This retrospective case series evaluates the presenting complaints, history findings, and physical examination findings in dogs diagnosed with HAC presenting to a referral dermatology practice. Medical records of 30 dogs diagnosed with HAC and evaluated at a private dermatology referral practice were retrospectively reviewed. A history of pruritus was the most prevalent history finding in 26/30 dogs (87%). On physical examination, a superficial bacterial pyoderma was diagnosed in 22/30 dogs (73%) with a supportive cytology followed by alopecia in 16/30 dogs (53%). Alkaline phosphatase was only elevated in 20/30 cases (67%). These results indicate that pruritus was the most commonly documented historic finding and pyoderma was the prevailing physical examination finding. Uncommonly reported findings included otitis externa and pododermatitis for patients with HAC presenting to a referral dermatology practice.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40874927/