Bald questions

When I was a child we had an old dog that lost his hair. As I was a kid, I thought that maybe old dogs always went bald like men do, but I now know that isn’t the case! I also remember his skin became strange, particularly over his back end – it was dry – I remember thinking his backside looked a bit like Rhino skin!
I’m just wondering, after a bit of Internet searching, could that have been Cushings Syndrome? Could there have been anything done to make him more comfortable or even better? What else would have been going wrong apart from hair loss? Are any breeds more prone – this was a Beardie? What causes Cushings – is it hereditary? Are there any other causes of canine baldness?

The baldness and the changes in the skin you describe have many possible causes including parasites, allergies and various hormone imbalances such as Cushing’s syndrome. Dogs do not generally go bald just as a result of old age.
The most common clinical signs of Cushing’s syndrome are a large water intake, frequent urination and possible incontinence, a ravenous appetite, a ‘pot belly’, lethargy and panting. Hair loss or recurrent skin diseases, as you described in your old dog, can also be seen.
Cushing’s will usually occur as a result of a tumour – often benign – of either the pituitary gland (most common) or the adrenal glands (less common). Symptoms of Cushing’s are caused by excessive amounts of cortisol, an important hormone that helps regulate the body’s metabolism. The signs of the disease can easily be mistaken for the normal signs of ageing. This can make it difficult for owners to recognise, especially as not all dogs will react to the disease in the same way. In particular, larger breeds of dog (such as Bearded Collies), may not exhibit all of the tell-tale signs.

Patient with Cushing's syndrome

Diagnosis of Cushing’s requires detailed blood or urine tests by your vet.
Once diagnosed, Cushing’s can be successfully managed and controlled with life-long medication, which will control symptoms and improve quality of life. The licensed medical treatment for Cushing’s (active ingredient – trilostane) helps to control the production of cortisol.
If left untreated, continued release of excessive amounts of cortisol into the bloodstream will eventually have a harmful effect on the function of many organs and on the body’s metabolism. For example, untreated Cushing’s will increase a dog’s risk of developing several serious conditions, such as diabetes, blood clots in the lungs, kidney infections, urinary tract infections and inflammation of the pancreas.
Cushing’s is usually seen in older dogs and any breed can be affected. Smaller breed dogs are more likely to develop the pituitary-dependent form of the disease. Adrenal tumours occur more frequently in larger breeds.
For anyone who is worried that their dog is exhibiting any of the above signs, it is important to contact your vet for advice.
James Walker, MAVetMB, MRCVS
(Veterinary Technical Advisor, Dechra Veterinary Products)