Patient signalment and aetiology of hypercortisolism in Australian dogs with Cushing's syndrome

Abstract

Objective: Patient characteristics of Cushing's syndrome differ between countries and have not been assessed in the Australian dog population. This study describes signalment and distribution of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent hypercortisolism (ADH) and ACTH-independent hypercortisolism (AIH) in Australian dogs. Animals: Two-hundred client-owned dogs that had endogenous ACTH concentrations measured by radioimmunoassay. Methods: Animals with Cushing's syndrome were identified from laboratory accessions and signalment details recorded. Dogs were classified as having ADH or AIH based on their endogenous ACTH concentration and, if equivocal, by additional data obtained from medical records. Results: Dogs had a median age of 11 years (range 3.5–18) and median body weight of 8.6 kg (2.5–50.8) with 67% of dogs weighing <10 kg and 83% <20 kg. The majority were female (62%) and neutered (91%). Maltese dogs comprised 19% of the study population and were over-represented relative to the general dog population. Dogs of this breed were diagnosed at an earlier age than other breeds and crosses. One hundred and eighty seven of 200 dogs (93.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 89.1–96.4) were diagnosed with ADH and 5 dogs (2.5%; 95% CI: 0–0.05) with AIH; an aetiology could not be established for the remaining dogs. Conclusions: Australian dogs with Cushing's syndrome were mostly small breed dogs and almost exclusively had ADH. Maltese dogs were frequently affected and developed the disease earlier in life compared with other breeds. These data can facilitate identification of Australian dogs at risk for the disease and assist in diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making.