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Cushing's disease, or hyperadrenocorticism, is one of the most complex diseases involving the endocrine system that we face. Nothing is quite as complex nor quite as elegantly simple as the body's endocrine system. The endocrine system comprises glands in our bodies that help regulate all of our bodily processes through hormones. When the endocrine system is working perfectly, our bodies are like finely tuned machines, capable of carrying out hundreds of chemical reactions simultaneously without a glitch. When the system goes awry, however, nothing can make you feel worse. Also, since the endocrine system's effects are so widespread, it is not unusual to see effects of endocrine disease in many parts of the body. We all require a very intricate balance among all of the hormones our body produces. Cushing's disease may be causing Sheila's body to produce too much of a certain kind of hormone. This can cause a wide variety of symptoms and/or problems.

Earlier, pituitary tumors were classified as chromophobic, basophilic and acidophilic. This was according to whether they took up the stains eosin and hematoxilin or not. This kind of classification has been ruled out and a new criterion has been set. Now the tumors are classified according to which hormone they secrete. Although the tumors which do not secrete any active hormones i.e. non-functioning tumors, are still sometimes referred to as chromophobic. Cushings disease is caused by one of the many type of tumors, classified under this new scheme. To put precisely, classification of pituitary tumors is based on plasma hormone levels or immunohistochemical staining. Cushings disease or in general, pituitary tumors can be diagnosed by measuring the visual difficulties observed by the patient. This is because the tumors extend a compression on the optic nerve which causes difficulties in seeing. They can also be diagnosed by observing the levels of various hormones in the blood. The diagnosis of the tumor can be confirmed by testing hormone levels and by radiographic imaging of the pituitary gland. For this CT scan or MRI techniques are used most often.

Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism) is a condition that results from the overproduction of too much in the body. In the normal dog, the pituitary gland produces a hormone called ACTH, which stimulates the adrenal gland to produce the steroid hormone glucocorticoid necessary for the function of many systems in the body. If something goes wrong in the pituitary gland or adrenal gland and too much glucocorticoid is produced, then Cushing's disease develops. This is a very complicated disease with a wide range of symptoms and causes. This article will try to give a concise description of the disease, its symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and its treatment.

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Hey.. Thanks for that.. At first I thought dogs are not that prone to diseases..

Thanks again!