Introduction
Cushing’s disease, otherwise known as hyperadrenocorticism, is a rare disease that is often only diagnosed in cats that are over 7 years of age. The disease can either be caused by the administration of too much steroid medications or it can be caused by tumors on the adrenal or pituitary glands. The treatment options for cats with Cushing’s disease are limited, and in many cases these treatment options are quite risky. Unfortunately treatment for Cushing’s in cats is necessary as cats with this disease will only begin to show symptoms when the disease is at an advanced stage.
Treating Cushing's Disease
If Cushing’s disease has been caused by the administration of steroid medications, the treatment is to slowly wean the cat off of the medications. An abrupt end to steroid medications can cause other types of medical disorders, and so the medications must slowly be reduced under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Medication
In cases where Cushing’s disease is a result of tumors on the pituitary or adrenal glands, treatment options are much more limited. Medications such as Metopirone and Lysodren RX have been used to treat Cushing’s in cats. Metopirone is a medication that is more commonly used to diagnose adrenal problems, but it is also used to treat Cushing’s disease. Lysodren RX targets and destroys adrenal gland tissues. Only some cats with Cushing’s disease respond positively to these medication treatments, and both of these medications come with their own side effects.
Surgical options
If oral medications cannot treat Cushing’s disease, surgically removing the adrenal gland is the last treatment option. This type of surgery is extremely risky, and only about half of all the patients that undergo this surgery survive it.
If your cat has been diagnosed with Cushing’s disease, it is important to have an honest discussion with your veterinarian regarding the treatment options and possible outcomes you can expect. You may also want to ask for a referral to a veterinarian specialist, as many veterinarians do not have experience treating Cushing’s disease in cats.