Overview of Cushing's Disease in Cats

Cushing's Disease is an umbrella term that refers to a number of conditions that occur when an animal is exposed to too much steroid hormone (called glucocorticoids). Cushing's disease occurs when the body produces excessive amounts of steroids, usually as a result of a pituitary gland problem, adrenal gland tumor, or too much steroid medication. The most common cause of Cushing’s Disease is a tumor of the pituitary gland in the brain.

Cushing's disease is extremely rare in cats, but occurs with some regularity in dogs, especially middle-aged ones and that weigh less than 45 lbs.

Treating Cushing's Disease

Treatment of Cushing's disease centers on decreasing or stopping the excessive production of steroids by the body. If the cause is a tumor, this could involve surgical excision of the tumor or of the adrenal gland. If this is not possible, drugs can be used, including mitotane ketoconazole, and more recently, 1-selegiline (Anipryl™). Anipryl™ (l-selegiline) is a drug that was introduced for the treatment of Cushing's disease. Unlike mitotane, which destroys parts of the adrenal gland to keep it from producing too much steroid, 1-selegiline promotes normalization of the metabolism of a substance called dopamine. This results in a normal amount of steroid production and an amelioration of clinical signs.

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