Why is my senior dog slow, pot-bellied, and getting skin spots?

My biggest concern is that your vet is talking about hyperadrenocorticism also known as Cushing's disease. This is what I think of when you discuss those symptoms, liver enzyme elevations and adrenal issues. Cushings is where they produce too much cortisol in their system. You can do a test to rule this in or out. You can have your vet do a low dose dexamethasone test OR a ACTH stimulation test. If it comes up positive then you can treat with the disease with a daily medicine called trilostane to help the symptoms. But you cannot cure cushings. I hope this helps and will help guide you in a conversation with your vet if this is actually what your vet thinks is going on.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Harvey. This is definitely not normal and you should have her evaluated immediately. If she is not spayed and has had a heat cycle within the last 30-60 days, she may be developing a uterine infection called a pyometra. This can be a life-threatening infection unless it's addressed with surgery. Spaying is the recommended treatment for this condition. The clinical signs include fever, lethargy, weakness, increased thirst, increased urination, inappetence, vomiting, etc. Sometimes there is abnormal discharge from the vulva if the cervix is open and allowing the infection to leak to the outside. Other things, of course, are possible but if she is not spayed, this would be my first guess. Your vet can gather a history and assess her physically. Possible tests would include blood/urine tests and imaging studies (x-rays/ultrasound). Good luck with Harvey.

Hair loss and increased appetite are common causes of an endocrine disorder called Cushings disease. This is a common problem in older dogs and they usually are drinking more water then normal as well. I would highly encourage you to consider having Diamon evaluated by a veterinarian soon. They may recommend blood work to help determine the diagnosis. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

I'm sorry to hear that Angel has been diagnosed with Cushing's disease. He is likely developing a pot belly that is characteristic of the disease. Cushing's is the result of too much of the hormone cortisol being produced. It results in muscle wasting and weakness. It also can cause an increase in fat around the organs in the abdomen as well as the liver to enlarge. Together these things cause the dog to have a firm distended pot belly appearance.

Hello, sorry to hear about Roxie. Those symptoms you are noting could be associated with cushings disease. This is a disease of the adrenal glands and/or pituitary gland that causes excessive secretion of steroid hormones. In addition to the voracious appetite, distended abdomen, and muscle mass loss, one may also note increase drinking and urinating, panting, and anxiety (such as the barking you're noting). Cushings disease can be managed medically, but she will likely need bloodwork and potentially an abdominal ultrasound for diagnostics. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have Roxie evaluated. Hope this helps and best of luck.

That may be just normal pigmentation changes. If the skin feels, or looks rougher than normal, if there are scabs or if she itches those areas then I would be more concerned. I hope this was helpful!

Hyperadrenocortisism is definitively diagnosed by a blood test, so that would be the next step for investigating this further. Some of what you described fits with this disease, but the fact that he is eating less makes me less inclined to believe it's Cushing's. However, without me being able to examine Mcgee and understand his medical history in more depth, I cannot comment much more. I reccomend you continue to work with your vet to find out the exact cause of is recent problems. Once diagnosed, treatment options can be discussed. I hope that helps and Mcgee gets better soon.