What are the Signs of Cushing’s Disease in Cats and Dogs?Ĭushing’s Disease can affect dogs and cats. Sometimes these signs are expected, but continued use of steroids may result in clinical signs of Cushing’s. Signs that resemble naturally occurring Cushing’s disease may also occur with glucocorticoid administrations and may result in Iatrogenic Cushing’s Disease. Oral or injectable steroids given for medical reasons may lead to side effects that are the clinical signs of Cushing’s. It may also be caused by a benign growth on the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, that produces too much of a hormone that stimulates the production of cortisol by the adrenal gland. It may be caused by a tumor (which can be malignant or benign) on the adrenal gland which is located in the abdomen near the kidney. When the endocrine system produces too much cortisol (hypercortisolism), it can cause clinical signs of illness that collectively are called Cushing’s syndrome or Cushing’s disease, but the disease is better termed hyperadrenocorticism (HAC). Cortisol is a naturally produced hormone that helps the body respond to stress (“fight or flight” response).
