Cushing's disease in dogs – signs and treatment

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Book a vet visit

Book a vet appointment if you think your dog has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Cushing's disease is a condition in which a dog's body has abnormally high levels of cortisol, a hormone normally made by the adrenal glands.

What to do now

What you can do now

  1. Contact your vet
  2. Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
  3. Take a photo or short video to show the vet
  4. Keep fresh water available
  5. Let your dog rest somewhere calm

Don't

  • Do not give any human medicine
  • Do not wait if it gets worse

What it is

Cushing's disease is caused by abnormally high levels of cortisol in the body.[1] Dogs with Cushing's disease may develop a distinctive appearance that can make a vet suspect the condition.[1]

Signs

  • Drinking and peeing more than usual
  • A swollen, pot-bellied stomach
  • Bald patches, especially on the sides, flanks and tail
  • Being much hungrier than usual
  • Dark patches on the skin
  • Thin, scaly skin prone to blackheads and infections
  • Wounds that heal slowly
  • Low energy or lethargy
  • Panting more than usual
  • Muscle loss or wasting

Causes and risk factors

  • Middle age
  • Small breeds
  • Dachshunds
  • Poodles
  • Terriers

How a vet finds out

  • A vet may suspect Cushing's disease by looking at your dog
  • Blood tests
  • X-rays
  • Ultrasound
  • Urine tests
  • CT scan

How vets treat it

  • Medication that controls cortisol production
  • Treatment may need to continue for the rest of your dog's life

Breeds prone to this

Veterinary charities list these breeds as more likely than others to get this condition. Each breed page lists the inherited conditions documented in the breed.

dachshundpoodleYorkshire Terrier

What the experts say

“Overview. Cushing’s disease is a condition caused by abnormally high levels of the hormone cortisol in the body, which is normally produced in exact amounts by the adrenal glands.”

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

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Common questions

What is Cushing's disease in dogs?

It is a condition caused by abnormally high levels of the hormone cortisol in the body.[1]

What signs can Cushing's disease cause?

Signs can include drinking and peeing more than usual, a pot-belly, bald patches, increased hunger, skin changes, slow-healing wounds, low energy and more panting.[1]

How might a vet treat Cushing's disease?

A vet may use medication that controls cortisol production, and it may need to be given for the rest of your dog's life.[1]

Sources

  1. PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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