DOGS · Condition guide
Cushing's syndrome in dogs: what real veterinary cases show
Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disease where the dog's body produces too much cortisol — either because a small benign tumour in the pituitary gland is over-stimulating the adrenals (the common form), or because one of the adrenal glands itself has a tumour. Classic owner-noticed signs are increased thirst and urination, a hanging "pot-belly", hair loss along the flanks, and excessive panting.
It's most common in middle-aged to older small-breed dogs, and the workup is well-established. Diagnosis is almost always made on blood tests rather than imaging in the first instance, and treatment — usually trilostane — can dramatically improve quality of life.
What vets typically check for
- Baseline CBC, chemistry, urinalysis (look for dilute urine + elevated ALP).
- Screening test: low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST) or ACTH-stimulation test.
- If positive, a high-dose dexamethasone suppression test or endogenous ACTH helps separate pituitary-dependent from adrenal-dependent disease.
- Abdominal ultrasound to look for asymmetric or enlarged adrenal glands.
- Trilostane is the most common medication; monitoring is via repeat ACTH-stim or pre-pill cortisol.
Not a replacement for veterinary care. Use this to walk into the conversation prepared, not to self-diagnose.
Real cases from the veterinary literature
Peer-reviewed reports our semantic search surfaces for Cushing's syndrome (hyperadrenocorticism). Click into any case for the full abstract — or run a personalised search with your pet's exact details.
- Urine protein electrophoresis study in dogs with pituitary dependent hyperadrenocorticism during therapy with trilostane
Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira · BR
A group of nine dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (a condition causing excessive cortisol) were monitored while being treated with a medication called trilostane. The study looked at their urine to check for protein levels, which can indicate kidney damage. Over six months, the dogs showed signs of kidney issues, specifically with low molecular weight proteins
- Dermoscopic Features of Calcinosis Cutis in 12 Dogs: An Observational Study.
Veterinary dermatology · 2026 · Italy
A 5-year-old female Dachshund was brought in for skin lesions that appeared as bright white areas on her skin. These lesions were caused by calcinosis cutis, a condition where calcium deposits form in the skin, often due to high cortisol levels from conditions like Cushing's disease. The vet used a special tool called dermoscopy to examine the lesions closely, which helped conf
- Risk factors associated with elevated serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentration in dogs with hypercortisolism.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine · 2026 · South Korea
A 7-year-old Beagle was diagnosed with hypercortisolism (a condition where the body produces too much cortisol) and was found to have elevated levels of a pancreatic enzyme, which can indicate pancreatitis. The vet discovered that certain blood tests showed higher levels of substances that could signal pancreatic injury. After starting treatment with trilostane, which helps low
- Electrophoretic patterns of proteinuria in dogs with Cushing's syndrome.
The Journal of small animal practice · 2026
A group of dogs with Cushing's syndrome (a condition that causes excessive hormone production) was studied to see how their urine protein levels changed with treatment. Most of the dogs showed a specific type of protein in their urine, indicating kidney issues. After starting treatment with trilostane, some dogs improved and had less protein in their urine, but others showed no
- Machine learning-assisted screening for canine Cushing's syndrome.
The veterinary quarterly · 2026 · South Korea
Cushing's syndrome is a common hormonal disorder in dogs that can really affect their well-being. Diagnosing it can be tricky because the symptoms can vary a lot, making it hard to know which dogs need more tests. This study looked at using machine learning to help identify dogs with Cushing's syndrome by analyzing routine tests like blood counts and urine tests. They found tha
- Glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid production in hormonally silent adrenocortical tumor tissue in dogs.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine · 2026 · Netherlands
A group of 14 dogs with hormonally silent adrenal tumors (SATs) were studied to understand their hormone production. These tumors were found during imaging but did not show signs of hormone overproduction in standard tests. The research showed that these SATs had higher levels of certain hormones compared to healthy adrenal tissues, suggesting they might not be completely silen
Frequently asked questions
- How is Cushing's different from a thyroid problem?
- Both can cause hair loss and lethargy, but Cushing's typically adds dramatic thirst/urination, panting, and a pot-belly. Hypothyroidism in dogs usually shows weight gain, cold intolerance, and a slower heart rate. A T4 and a Cushing's screening test together will sort the two out in almost all cases.
- Is Cushing's an emergency?
- Spontaneous Cushing's is a chronic disease — not an emergency at diagnosis. It becomes urgent only if a dog on trilostane shows weakness, vomiting, or collapse (possible iatrogenic Addison's). The other urgent variant is a rare cortisol-secreting adrenal tumour that ruptures, which is rare and presents as acute abdominal pain.
- Will treatment cure it?
- Trilostane controls the cortisol output; it doesn't shrink the underlying tumour. Many dogs do well on therapy for years. Surgical removal of an adrenal tumour can be curative when feasible; pituitary surgery and radiation are options in some referral centres.