An Introduction to Cushing's Disease
Cushing's disease is also known as hyperadrenocorticism or hypercortisolemi. It is caused by your cat's body tissues being exposed for prolonged periods to excessive levels of a hormone known as Cortisol. Cortisol is a steroid produced by the adrenal glands, and is mainly produced when the body is under stress. The levels of Cortisol produced are usually carefully regulated by other hormones produced by the pituitary gland, but if your cat develops Cushing's disease then too much Cortisol is produced.
Cushing's is most often caused by a tumor in either the pituitary gland or the adrenal gland. Although these tumors are usually benign, the glands are stimulated to produce more Cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormones (ACTH) which then causes the symptoms of the disease. Corticosteroid drugs used long term for conditions such as arthritis can also cause the disease.
Cushing's is a disease which generally affects older cats, although younger cats have also been diagnosed with the disease.
Symptoms of Cushing's Disease
Symptoms can vary a great deal and are very slight in the early stages. Cushing's progresses slowly so some of the early warning signs may be missed. Your cat may show signs of increased thirst and urination, which are also the signs of diabetes. Diabetes is often a complication of Cushing's disease as one of the functions of Cortisol is to regulate insulin production; when this becomes impaired then diabetes is often the result. The diabetes caused by the disease is generally resistant to insulin so a high dose of insulin is often required to regulate blood sugar levels.
Another sign of Cushing's disease is an increased appetite. Your cat may also become lethargic, weak and listless. The excessive amount of steroids produced by the body can cause a breakdown of muscle tissue, and the abdomen may become enlarged, leading to a pot-bellied appearance. Your cat's coat may also be affected, becoming thin and patchy with slow re-growth when fur is lost. The skin may also become thin, leading to skin conditions or tears. As the steroid hormones suppress the healing process and impair the immune system, wounds and infections may be slow to heal. Some cats develop small, hard calcified lumps under their skin, and may suffer from frequent urinary tract infections.
Because the symptoms develop slowly and can indicate other diseases, it can be very difficult to diagnose. If you suspect that there is a possibility that your cat may have Cushing's disease then you should take him to the vet for diagnosis. If your cat develops diabetes then your vet should also check for signs of Cushing's.
Cushing's disease is also known as hyperadrenocorticism or hypercortisolemi. It is caused by your cat's body tissues being exposed for prolonged periods to excessive levels of a hormone known as Cortisol. Cortisol is a steroid produced by the adrenal glands, and is mainly produced when the body is under stress. The levels of Cortisol produced are usually carefully regulated by other hormones produced by the pituitary gland, but if your cat develops Cushing's disease then too much Cortisol is produced.
Cushing's is most often caused by a tumor in either the pituitary gland or the adrenal gland. Although these tumors are usually benign, the glands are stimulated to produce more Cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormones (ACTH) which then causes the symptoms of the disease. Corticosteroid drugs used long term for conditions such as arthritis can also cause the disease.
Cushing's is a disease which generally affects older cats, although younger cats have also been diagnosed with the disease.
Symptoms of Cushing's Disease
Symptoms can vary a great deal and are very slight in the early stages. Cushing's progresses slowly so some of the early warning signs may be missed. Your cat may show signs of increased thirst and urination, which are also the signs of diabetes. Diabetes is often a complication of Cushing's disease as one of the functions of Cortisol is to regulate insulin production; when this becomes impaired then diabetes is often the result. The diabetes caused by the disease is generally resistant to insulin so a high dose of insulin is often required to regulate blood sugar levels.
Another sign of Cushing's disease is an increased appetite. Your cat may also become lethargic, weak and listless. The excessive amount of steroids produced by the body can cause a breakdown of muscle tissue, and the abdomen may become enlarged, leading to a pot-bellied appearance. Your cat's coat may also be affected, becoming thin and patchy with slow re-growth when fur is lost. The skin may also become thin, leading to skin conditions or tears. As the steroid hormones suppress the healing process and impair the immune system, wounds and infections may be slow to heal. Some cats develop small, hard calcified lumps under their skin, and may suffer from frequent urinary tract infections.
Because the symptoms develop slowly and can indicate other diseases, it can be very difficult to diagnose. If you suspect that there is a possibility that your cat may have Cushing's disease then you should take him to the vet for diagnosis. If your cat develops diabetes then your vet should also check for signs of Cushing's.
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