Symptoms Guide

Recognize the signs of Cushing's disease - both obvious and easily missed

Important: Cushing's disease often starts with subtle signs that appear months before the classic symptoms. Trust your observations - you know your dog best.

The symptoms of Cushing's disease can vary significantly from dog to dog. Some show the textbook signs right away, while others display subtle changes that are easy to overlook. This guide will help you recognize both types of symptoms and understand when to seek veterinary care.

Interactive Symptom Checker

Check the symptoms you've noticed in your dog

Classic Signs

More obvious symptoms

Increased thirst and urination

Hair thinning and/or bald patches

Pot-bellied appearance

Excessive panting (especially at rest)

Low energy or lethargy

Ravenous appetite or constant hunger

Red Flags: Early Systemic Warnings

Any of these signs warrant an endocrine check

Muscle Wasting: Wobbly hind limbs, difficulty jumping, or loss of muscle mass along the spine

Coat Failure: Incomplete seasonal shedding or hair that becomes dull, dry, and slow to regrow

Compromised Immunity: Recurrent ear, skin, or urinary tract infections (UTIs) that keep coming back

Tissue Fragility: Skin that bruises easily, becomes paper-thin, or wounds that take weeks to heal

Darkening Skin: Hyperpigmentation (dark patches) often seen on the belly or underarms

Neurological/Behavioral Shifts: New restlessness, night-pacing, confusion, or sudden "clinging" to owners

Learn About Testing

When to Contact Your Vet

Urgent - Contact Your Vet Immediately

• Sudden collapse or extreme weakness
• Seizures or disorientation
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea
• Refusal to eat for more than 24 hours
• Difficulty breathing

Schedule an Appointment Soon

• Two or more subtle symptoms persist for weeks
• Classic symptoms appear (increased thirst, pot belly, etc.)
• Noticeable behavior or energy changes
• Skin problems or recurrent infections
• Any symptom that concerns you as a dog owner

Monitor and Document

If you notice one or two mild symptoms, start documenting:

• Take photos of any physical changes (coat, skin, body shape)
• Note water intake and urination frequency
• Track appetite and weight changes
• Record energy levels and behavior patterns
• Bring this information to your next vet visit

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Sara's Subtle Warning Signs

Diagnosing Cushing's is challenging because the early symptoms are often dismissed as "just old age." In Sara's case, there were two significant signs that I missed because they didn't look like "sickness" at the time.

The "Clean Floor" Trap (Coat Changes)

As a Labrador, Sara shed 365 days a year. About eight months before her diagnosis, I realized my house had suddenly become hairless. I thought, "Finally, after 13 years of 'golden glitter,' I don't have to clean the floors every day." In reality, her hair had stopped cycling and growing - a classic but silent sign of Cushing's.

The Scavenger Shift (Increased Appetite)

Sara started wanting to cut her walks short. She wasn't in pain; she was just desperate to get back home to eat. She became a scavenger, drooling near people in the park and "vacuuming" up every crumb she found: behavior she had been trained for years not to do. I chalked it up to her becoming a "grumpy, hungry old lady."

Muscle Weakness

What I thought was "laziness" on walks was probably the beginning of muscle wasting caused by high cortisol.

Why This Matters

These changes seemed minor and were easily dismissed because Sara still appeared happy and mobile. However, these were the first red flags. If I had known Cushing's existed when her shedding stopped, we could have caught it months earlier, well before the high cortisol levels created havoc with her organs, muscles, and immune system.

Read Sara's Full Story

Need More Information?

Learn about diagnostic testing, treatment options, and how Cushing's disease is managed.

About Cushing's disease View Resources