posted by Tess on Apr 12
Cushing’s disease is a glandular disorder caused by excessive corticosteroids. The process of the production of these corticosteroids is such that:
* The pituitary gland produces a hormone called ACTH
* The ACTH stimulates the adrenalin glands
* The adrenalin gland produces corticosteroids
* A more than required amount of corticosteroid can cause Cushing’s disease, so it is also called hyperadrenocorticism (hyper-adreno-corticism).
The overproduction of corticosteroids which causes Cushing’s disease in dogs can occur due to two types of conditions. In 85% of the cases, the excessive production of ACTH is caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland that produces high levels of ACTH. This causes the adrenalin glands to make more than required levels of corticosteroids. Hyperadrenocorticism in a dog can also be caused by a corticosteroid-producing tumor in one or both of the adrenalin glands.
Cushing’s disease in dogs can also be caused by large doses of synthetic corticosteroids. These steroids may be administered for treating another ailment but in turn produce a side effect that results in Cushing’s disease.
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