The Impact of Dog Cushing’s Disease Leads to Blindness What Every Pet Owner Should Know 2024
Dog cushing's disease leads to blindness and causes of it
Dog cushing’s disease leads to blindness and is also known as
hyperadrenocorticism as it is a serious disease that affects both middle-aged and older dogs.
Dog cushing’s disease can cause serious symptoms and many health complications that can threaten the dog’s longevity.
In this article we will discuss how dog cushing’s disease leads to blindness and know more about its symptoms, diagnosis, and the strategy of the treatment.
Dog cushing’s disease leads to blindness and causes of it
Dog cushing’s disease leads to blindness and it is a serious health condition that occurs when a dog’s adrenal glands that are located near the kidneys produce excessive amounts of cortisol hormone(cortisone).
This hormone plays a major role in upkeeping the cardiovascular health of the dog, regulating the body’s response to stress, and managing the immune system.
This disease induces systemic changes within the body and affects several organs.
There are three reasons for Dog cushing’s disease:
An adrenal gland tumor
This is called adrenal-dependent cushing’s disease(ADH).
This type occurs in about 15-20% of cases.
It causes the dog’s adrenal gland to be overactive and consequently it will produce more cortisone hormone than normal.
A tiny brain tumor
This is called pituitary-dependent Cushing’s disease(PDH).
This is the most common cause and dog cushing’s disease leads to blindness as this tumor sends many signals to the dog’s adrenal glands to produce more cortisone.
Prolonged use of steroids medications
This is called iatrogenic cushing’s disease.
Dog cushing’s disease is brought on by high dose and long term steroid medications.
So accurate diagnosis is crucial as each type of the previously mentioned types and dog cushing’s disease leads to blindness so each type has a specific strategy of the treatment and management.
What are the symptoms of dog cushing’s disease?
The symptoms of this disease in dogs are varied and numerous and include many changes that occur in behavior, external appearance, or injuries to body organs.
Behavior changes
- Polyphagia that means increased appetite
- Polyuria that means increased urination
- Polydipsia that means increased thirst
- Lethargy due to muscle weakness
- Increased panting
Appearance changes
Enlarged abdomen (pot belly)
This occurs due to liver enlargement, redistribution of dog’s body fat, and weakening of abdomen muscles.
Loss of dog’s hair (symmetrical alopecia)
Hair loss begins on the flanks so it will give the dog a bald area on both sides.
Thinning of the skin
Thinning of the skin is noticeable on pinching the skin and blood vessels appear on the surface of the skin more easily than usual because they can penetrate the surface.
Calcification of the skin (hardening of the nose and pads)
Calcification of the skin(calcinosis cutis) means the deposition of calcium within the skin.
The area affected by this symptom is firm to the touch, whitish plaque, and raised slightly above the surface of the skin.
Medical conditions are associated with dog cushing’s disease
- Skin infections
- Seizures
- Blood clots
- Diabetes mellitus
- Gall bladder disease
- Urinary tract infections
- blindness
Can dog cushing’s disease cause blindness?
Yes, this disease puts dogs at high risk of blindness as it can cause retinal damage or detachment of the retina and that will result in impaired vision.
If the dog has a large enough pituitary tumor, that can press on the optic nerves and cause blindness.
Dog cushing’s disease leads to blindness and its diagnosis
In order for the veterinarian to diagnose this disease, his first step will be to ask about the symptoms that appeared on the dog, how long these symptoms have taken, and the medications that the dog is taking.
There are some tests to evaluate dog’s overall health:
CBC(complete blood count)
CBC of Dog cushing’s disease will show changes in the white blood cells and reveal some abnormalities like high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and high liver enzymes.
Urinalysis
Urinalysis is important to evaluate kidney function and detect urinary tract infection.
Urinalysis detects diluted urine and that is considered a marker of cushing’s disease.
Chemistry panel
to evaluate organs health
Blood pressure measurement
Chest X-ray
to detect if there are any breathing issues
Abdominal ultrasound
to examine abdominal organs and detect adrenal gland shape and size
Dog cushing’s disease leads to blindness and there are two specific methods of dog cushing’s disease diagnosis :
- Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test
This test is done through taking a blood sample from the dog and measuring cortisol level and then giving him a dose of dexamethasone drug.
After 4:8 hours of giving the drug, another blood sample will be collected to measure cortisol level.
In normal dogs, cortisol level would be suppressed but in diseased dogs cortisol level remains increased.
- ACTH stimulation test
ACTH stimulation test, this test is performed as the same as the first test, but here the dog is given ACTH instead of dexamethasone.
These following two tests are used for differentiation of adrenal-dependent cushing’s disease(ADH) from pituitary-dependent which are the most common types of cushing’s disease:
- High-dose dexamethasone suppression test:
The difference between this test and the test of low-dose dexamethasone suppression is the high dose of the drug, but it is done in the same way.
- Imaging:
We can use CT, MRI, and abdominal ultrasound to differentiate between these two types of cushing’s disease.
Treatment of cushing’s disease
There are two medic used in the treatment:
1-Vetoryl(trilostane)
It is the only approved treatment that treats both main types of cushing’s disease(adrenal and pituitary-dependent) as it blocks cortisol production so normal level is back.
Vetoryl has some mild side effects such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, or diarrhea.
These mild symptoms last for a few days.
2-Lysodren(mitotane)
The mechanism of action of this drug is controlling production of cortisol by killing some of the cells that produce cortisol.
The use of this medicine takes place in two stages to achieve the healing result.
The first stage is by giving high doses of the drug and you must watch your dog if he develops any symptoms.
The second stage is giving lower doses of the drug long-term.
Iatrogenic cushing’s disease is treated by stopping giving the dog steroids medications until the normal level of cortisol is back.
There is surgical treatment by removing tumors but this solution is not preferred due to limited availability and potential complications.
Summary
Dog cushing’s disease leads to blindness so if you notice any of the previously mentioned symptoms on your dog, then you must see your vet as soon as possible as this disease can cause serious health problems.
Cushing’s Disease Life Expectancy in Dogs
Understanding Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of a dog with Cushing’s disease can vary greatly depending on several factors, including:
- Type of Cushing’s disease: The most common type, pituitary-dependent Cushing’s disease, typically has a better prognosis than adrenal-dependent Cushing’s disease.
- Severity of symptoms: The severity of the disease’s symptoms can influence the dog’s overall health and quality of life.
- Treatment response: How well the dog responds to treatment can significantly impact their lifespan.
- Overall health: The dog’s overall health and any underlying conditions can also affect their prognosis.
Generally, with appropriate treatment, dogs with Cushing’s disease can live for several years. However, it’s important to remember that individual outcomes may vary.
Enhancing Quality of Life
While life expectancy is a crucial factor, the quality of life is equally important. Here are some ways to help your dog live a comfortable and fulfilling life with Cushing’s disease:
- Regular veterinary care: Consistent monitoring and treatment are essential for managing the disease and preventing complications.
- Medication adherence: Ensure your dog receives their prescribed medication as directed.
- Dietary management: A balanced diet can help maintain optimal health and support treatment.
- Exercise: Regular, moderate exercise can help your dog stay active and maintain a healthy weight.
- Stress reduction: Minimize stress in your dog’s environment, as stress can exacerbate Cushing’s disease symptoms.
Remember, with proper care and support, many dogs with Cushing’s disease can live happy and healthy lives. If you have concerns about your dog’s health, consult with your veterinarian for personalized advice.
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