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>Cushing's Syndrome is a collection of symptoms caused by an excess of a

>hormone called cortisol. There are three main causes of Cushing's

>Syndrome. About 80 percent of cases are caused by a tumor on the pituitary

>gland. Such tumors are usually benign, but secrete a hormone called

>adrenocortical stimulating hormone (ACTH). ACTH, in turn, stimulates the

>adrenal gland to produce excess cortisol. Another 10 percent of cases are

>caused by a tumor on the adrenal gland. The remaining cases are usually

>induced by veterinarians who over-prescribe corticosteroids to treat

>itching skin. It is, as yet, unknown whether there is an inherited

>predisposition to Cushing's Syndrome in Scottish Terriers. It occurs often

>enough that breeders should consider its appearance in a pedigree when

>planning a mating. The most definitive symptom of Cushing's Syndrome

>is a huge increase in the amount of water drunk and a corresponding

>increase in the frequency and amount of urine produced. Left untreated, a

>dog with Cushing's Syndrome gradually gains weight and experiences coat

>loss. The skin often darkens and appears thin. Muscle tissue atrophies,

>causing the dog's head to look skull-like. Cushing's Syndrome can be hard

>to diagnose. There is a number of tests that your veterinarian may wish to

>run. Generally, however, if your Scottish Terrier has the following four

>symptoms, he very likely has Cushing's Syndrome: The dog is

>drinking copious amounts of water and urinating frequently. The dog

>has an elevated SGPT. The dog has an elevated alkaline phophatase

>level. The dog's ratio of urinary cortisol to urinary creatinine is

>greater than 24 Cushing's Syndrome is usually treated with a drug

>called Lysodren which inhibits the adrenal glands' ability to respond to

>the excess stimulation. The administration of Lysodren must be closely

>monitored as it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. The following protocol

>has been very successful in establishing the correct dosage. The affected

>dog's food should be diminished gradually over a one-week period until he

>finishes his meal in less than one minute. At that time, the dog is placed

>on a twice daily dosage of Lysodren at 50 mg/kg. This dosage is continued

>until a significant decrease in thirst is noted and the dog walks away from

>its food. At that time, the dog may be placed on a weekly dosage of 25-50

>mg/kg. Dogs with sensitive stomachs may need to have their weekly dosage

>divided in half and given the drug twice per week. Water intake must be

>continuously monitored to ensure that the dosage is correct. Since

>most dogs respond so well to Lysodren, surgery is rarely recommended.

>Radiation therapy, used in humans, is very expensive and rarely available

>for dogs

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