Disorders of the Pituitary Gland in Dogs

Cushing disease, also called hyperadrenocorticism, is caused by too much cortisol. Miniature Poodles, Dachshunds, Boxers, Boston Terriers, and Beagles are at increased risk. In most affected dogs (85 to 90%), the cause is a small, benign pituitary tumor. In the remaining 10 to 15% of dogs, the cause is a tumor of the adrenal gland itself.

This condition tends to occur in middle-aged to older dogs. Common signs include increased thirst and urination, increased appetite, heat intolerance, lethargy, a “potbelly,” panting, obesity, weakness, thin skin, hair loss, and bruising. Rarely, calcinosis cutis develops, a condition in which minerals are deposited in the skin and can appear as small, thickened “dots” on the abdomen.

Diagnosis of Cushing disease can be difficult because laboratory test results may be inconclusive and false-positive test results are common in dogs that have other diseases. Veterinarians will run routine and specialized blood and urine tests on dogs that have signs of Cushing disease. Retesting may be needed 3 to 6 months later if test results are inconclusive or if the dog does not continue to show signs. Once the disease is confirmed, additional laboratory tests are usually done to determine whether the cause is a tumor of the pituitary gland or of the adrenal gland. The pituitary and adrenal glands can be further evaluated using abdominal x-rays, ultrasonography, or more sophisticated methods of diagnostic imaging such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The classic treatment for hyperadrenocorticism is with mitotane, a drug that acts on the adrenal glands to decrease the production of cortisol. Dogs should be monitored for signs that the cortisol level has dropped too low, such as reduced appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. After 7 to 10 days of treatment, a test may be performed to determine if cortisol levels are low enough. Often, mitotane treatment is continued, with blood tests done every 3–4 months to monitor cortisol levels. Gradually increasing doses of mitotane are often needed to keep the disease under control. Adverse effects of mitotane can include vomiting and loss of appetite, lack of coordination, weakness, seizures, and mildly low blood sugar. Some of these effects may stop if the daily dose is divided into 2 equal parts and given 8 to 12 hours apart.

Another medication called trilostane has been shown to be effective in treating pituitary-dependent Cushing disease in some studies, and it may have fewer adverse effects. Radiation therapy is another option for pituitary-dependent disease; new techniques are very effective and have few side effects. Medications may still be necessary for a few months after radiation therapy. Your veterinarian can recommend the best treatment for your dog based on your pet's condition.

If adrenal gland tumors are present, treatment with medications is more difficult, and surgical removal is sometimes an option.

The outlook for dogs with pituitary-dependent Cushing disease is survival for about 2 years, with or without medications. Dogs treated with radiation or surgery may survive 2–5 years. Dogs that undergo surgery for a tumor on one of the adrenal glands may survive about 18 months.

In adult-onset panhypopituitarism, the pituitary gland and nearby tissues, including the hypothalamus, are compressed or damaged. As a result of this damage, the secretion of many of the anterior pituitary hormones becomes inadequate or absent. This disrupts a number of other hormone-producing glands, resulting in a variety of signs.

Inactive pituitary tumors develop most commonly in adult to older dogs. All breeds appear to be equally affected. Other conditions, infections, or injuries that lead to destruction of pituitary tissue can also cause panhypopituitarism.

Affected dogs are often depressed and uncoordinated, collapse with exercise, and lose weight. Occasionally, they show a change in attitude, do not respond to people, and tend to hide. In chronic cases, the animal may become blind because the growing pituitary tumor puts pressure on the optic nerves. Animals with panhypopituitarism appear dehydrated despite drinking more water. Dogs may urinate in large volumes and break housetraining.

Inactive pituitary tumors usually become quite large before they cause obvious signs or death. The entire hypothalamus may be compressed and replaced by tumor, and the thyroid and adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes may be smaller than normal.

External beam radiation therapy offers the best means of treatment for dogs with large pituitary tumors through reduction in the size of the mass. In dogs with severe signs and very large tumors, however, the response is often inadequate and the outlook for these dogs is very poor.

In juvenile-onset panhypopituitarism, also called pituitary dwarfism, the front portion of the pituitary gland does not fully develop or is disrupted by a tumor. This affects several other hormone-producing glands, leading to a variety of signs. In particular, the lack of growth hormone causes the young animal to be dwarfed.

Pituitary dwarfism is most common in German Shepherds and has been seen in the Spitz, Miniature Pinscher, and Karelian Bear Dog. It is inherited and occurs equally in male and female dogs.

Dwarf pups appear the same as their normal littermates up to about 2 months of age. After that, they grow slower than their littermates and keep their puppy coat. Primary guard hairs do not develop. Hair is gradually lost on both sides of the body, and hair loss often becomes complete except for the head and tufts of hair on the legs. Permanent teeth do not come in, or come in late. Closure of the growing ends of the bones can be delayed as long as 4 years. The testes and penis of male dogs are small. In female dogs, heat cycles are irregular or absent. Because the pituitary gland affects the production of other hormones in the body, the levels of thyroid hormones and cortisol are reduced, and the thyroid and adrenal glands show signs of deterioration. Affected dogs have a shortened life span.

Despite its name, diabetes insipidus is not related to the more commonly known diabetes mellitus, and it does not involve insulin or sugar metabolism.

Diabetes insipidus is caused by problems with antidiuretic hormone or vasopressin, a pituitary gland hormone responsible for maintaining the correct level of fluid in the body. Either the pituitary gland does not secrete enough of this hormone (called central diabetes insipidus), or the kidneys do not respond normally to the hormone (called nephrogenic diabetes insipidus).

Affected dogs urinate in large volumes and drink equally large amounts of water. The urine is very dilute even if the animal is deprived of water. (Normally, urine becomes more concentrated when an animal is dehydrated.)

If the animal is not dehydrated and does not have kidney disease, a water deprivation test can be carefully done under the supervision of a veterinarian to assist in diagnosing diabetes insipidus. A second test that measures the animal’s response to treatment with antidiuretic hormone is then performed to distinguish between central and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. These tests are typically performed only after your veterinarian has ruled out other conditions that cause an increase in thirst or urination.

Increased urination may be controlled using desmopressin acetate, a drug that acts in a way similar to antidiuretic hormone. Water should not be restricted. Treatment is usually lifelong.

Also see professional content regarding the pituitary gland.