Articles with Cushing’s disease

A Primer On Cushing’s Disease: What is Cushing’s Disease in Dogs?

Cushing’s disease, named after the first physician who reported it, results from excess cortisol in the body. It is most common in middle-aged to older dogs. The most susceptible breeds include: Introduction Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone that controls metabolism and response to stress. It is produced by the adrenal glands, which are found on top of the upper part…

by Dr. John A. Bukowski, DVM, and Dr. Susan E. Aiello, DVM

Change in Drinking Habits in Dogs: Pixie’s Excessive Thirst

Do you know what can cause excessive drinking and urination in your dog? Should you be concerned? Excessive drinking and urinary accidents in dogs often go hand-in-hand. So it is only natural that all that fluid has to make its way back out. The causes of increased drinking and urination include: urinary tract infections (UTI) uterine infections diabetes Cushing’s disease…

by Jana Rade

Excessive Thirst in a Dog: Oscar’s Increased Drinking and Diagnosis

Different environmental and physiological factors determine how much water your dog needs to drink on any given day. Things that influence fluctuation in your dog’s water intake include: ambient temperature activity level type of diet However, with all things being equal, if your dog starts drinking more than usual, you need to consider an underlying health problem. Illnesses that will…

by Jana Rade

The Function of Cortisol: What Happens In A Dog’s Body When It Goes Awry?

Cortisol is a vital hormone from the glucocorticoid family of steroid hormones. Cortisol is primarily produced by a dog’s adrenal glands. In health, cortisol plays a critical role in the dog’s ability to cope with stress. It stimulates glucose production and the breakdown of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates to provide fuel for the body. Cortisol also suppresses the immune system.…

by Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM

Veterinary Highlights: Analysis Of Dog Hair Reveals Hormonal Imbalance – redirect

Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) is a common endocrinological disorder in dogs. It is estimated that one to two dogs our of a thousand/per year will get it. The symptoms are often written off as signs of normal aging and the diagnosis is complicated. Recent research at the Institute of Medical Biochemistry at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna has shown that…

by Jana Rade

Jana Rade

I am a graphic designer by day, dog health advocate, dog writer, member of the Dog Writers Association of America, and an award-winning author in my spare time. Jasmine, the Rottweiler of my life, was the largest female from her litter. We thought we were getting a healthy dog. Getting a puppy from a backyard breeder was our first mistake. Endless veterinary visits without a diagnosis or useful treatment later, I realized that I had to take Jasmine's health care into my own hands. I learned the hard way that simply seeing a vet is not always enough. There is more to finding a good vet than finding the closest clinic down the street. And, sadly, there is more to advocating for your dog's health than visiting a veterinarian. It should be enough, but it often is not. With Jasmine, it took five years to finally get a diagnosis for her initial issue. Unfortunately, other problems had snowballed for that in the meantime. Jasmine's health challenges became a crash course in understanding dog health issues and how to go about getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. I had to learn, and I had to learn fast. Helping others through my challenges and experience has become my mission and Jasmine's legacy. I now try to help people recognize and understand signs of illness in their dogs, how to work with their veterinarian, and when to seek a second opinion. My goal is to use 20 years of hard-earned experience to save others from the steep curve of having to learn things the hard way, as I did.

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