Atypical Cushing's Syndrome in Dogs: Arguments For and Against

February 2010 in “ The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice/Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice ”

Ellen N. Behrend, Robert A. Kennis

Cushing's syndrome occult hyperadrenocorticism ACTH stimulation low-dose dexamethasone suppression sex hormones cortisol Cushing's ACTH test dexamethasone test

Studysummary This article reviews the evidence regarding the role of sex hormones in occult hyperadrenocorticism and reports no new findings, highlighting the unproven nature of their involvement. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The document discusses the concept of occult hyperadrenocorticism in dogs, a condition where clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities suggest Cushing's syndrome, but standard diagnostic tests such as ACTH stimulation and low-dose dexamethasone suppression tests return normal results. A prevailing theory suggests that these signs may be due to an excess secretion of sex hormones rather than cortisol. However, the authors argue that the role of sex hormones in causing occult hyperadrenocorticism has not been conclusively proven. The article presents and evaluates evidence both supporting and challenging the significance of sex hormones in this atypical form of Cushing's syndrome.

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