What Is Cushing's Disease in Dogs?

6. Treatment options

For PDH

• Medications: The most common treatment is medication to reduce cortisol production, like trilostane (Vetoryl) or mitotane (Lysodren). Regular check-ups and blood tests are needed to adjust the medication dosage.
• Surgery or Radiation: In some cases, surgery or radiation might be used to treat the pituitary tumor, but these options are less common. The choice of treatment depends on the size and location of the tumor, as well as the overall health of the dog.

Each treatment option has its own risks and benefits, which should be discussed thoroughly with your vet.

For Adrenal Tumor

• Surgery: If the tumor is benign, surgery can cure the disease. Malignant tumors are harder to treat, and surgery might only help for a while. In cases where surgery is not possible, other treatments like medication or radiation may be considered to manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
• Medication: If surgery isn’t an option, medications similar to those used for PDH can help manage the disease. These medications require careful monitoring and regular adjustments to ensure they are effectively controlling cortisol levels without causing adverse side effects.

For Iatrogenic Cushing’s Disease

• Gradual Reduction of Steroids: The vet will slowly reduce the steroid medication causing the problem, but this needs to be done carefully to avoid other health issues. It’s important to follow the vet’s instructions closely to safely taper off the steroids while managing the original condition that required steroid treatment.