Mary Allen
Cushing’s syndrome is life-threatening – that’s why every cat owner should at least have heard of it. Because this disease is discovered too late or not at all, your cat’s life can be over in an instant. And such a severe blow is something you wouldn’t wish on any cat owner or cat.
What is Cushing’s Syndrome & How Does It Happen?
Feline Cushing’s syndrome, also known as Cushing’s disease, is a hormonal disorder in which there is permanently too much cortisol in the body. The disease is typically more likely to occur in female cats than in tomcats and especially in older animals. It often develops gradually over several years. There are different ways in which this can happen:
● Pituitary tumor: Cortisol is produced by the adrenal gland. The pituitary gland (hypophysis) is responsible for regulating this production. It controls cortisol production by releasing the hormone ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) into the bloodstream as a kind of command for the adrenal glands. If the pituitary gland is disturbed by a tumor and releases too much ACTH, the adrenal glands overproduce cortisol. This is the so-called pituitary Cushing’s syndrome, which is the case in 80 to 90 percent of affected cats.
● Adrenal tumor: Furthermore, a tumor in the adrenal gland can lead to a disturbance in the adrenal cortex: Cortisol is produced excessively. Known as Adrenal Cushing, it occurs much less frequently at 10 to 20 percent and has nothing to do with the pituitary gland as a control organ.
● ACTH-secreting tumors: Although extremely rare, other tumors are not located in the pituitary or adrenal glands and can still cause what is known as ectopic Cushing’s syndrome. A bronchial carcinoma, for example, can secrete ACTH and thus cause an overproduction of cortisol in the adrenal glands.
● Cortisone treatment: Iatrogenic Cushing is also a Cushing’s syndrome in cats, but has a different cause: here the disease is not caused by disturbances within the body, but by cortisone intake over a longer time, for example during therapy. Cushing’s syndrome, triggered by artificial cortisone, can be cured in most cases.
Feline Cushing’s Syndrome: Symptoms
Cushing’s syndrome is extremely difficult to diagnose because most of the symptoms can also occur with other disorders. Clear signs are noticeable in the eating and drinking behavior of a sick cat. Excessive water intake occurs, which is accompanied by frequent urination. This is particularly noticeable due to the sudden lack of cleanliness when your cat increasingly fails to make it to the toilet. The constant urge to eat is also noticeable and over time a cat with Cushing’s syndrome will gain weight in the trunk and abdomen, resulting in a real sagging belly.
As the musculature declines, Cushing’s should eventually be noticed in a cat, because the fat belly and thinning limbs make the cat’s body appear odd and the animal also loses strength. The diseased cat’s skin becomes dry, cracked and often shows pigment changes such as dark spots. Wounds heal poorly and susceptibility to skin infections increases. Hair loss is another side effect of Cushing’s syndrome. One of the other cat owners will also notice that the willingness to mate ( heating) of the cat is delayed or does not occur at all. As the disease progresses, the cat’s immune system weakens, making them more susceptible to all kinds of infections. Secondary diseases can also occur, since the permanent hormone overload is not good for the entire body, such as diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, or damage to the kidneys and liver.
Treating Cushing: What are the Options?
In some cases, surgery is an option, for example, tumors on the adrenal glands that are responsible for Cushing’s syndrome can be removed. However, the decision is always based on the individual case and the condition of the cat. The age and the current state of health of the animal play an important role. Since an operation is associated with many risks and tumors are rarely easily accessible, sick cats are more likely to be treated with medication. These are supposed to regulate the release of the cortisol hormone in the body.
The aim of this is to increase the life expectancy of the cat, which unfortunately rarely works without serious side effects. It is also important to consider whether there are other diseases that could be promoted by taking the medication. If your cat is affected by Cushing’s syndrome, radiotherapy may also be an option – specialized clinics offer such an alternative.