Canine Cushings Life Expectancy - What's the Prognosis for a Dog Diagnosed with Cushings Disease?

When my dog was first diagnosed with Canine Cushings, life expectancy immediately came to mind. I'd seen Cushings dogs before but I didn't know that much about the disease, and I immediately wondered if it meant my dog's time was coming to an end.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not a vet and I have no veterinary or medical background whatsoever. This information on Cushings disease in dogs is not meant as a substitute or replacement for veterinary advice. It's meant for educational and informational purposes only, as a starting point for discussing the diagnosis and treatment of canine Cushings disease with a qualified vet.

I spent a great deal of time in those early weeks immersed in a sea of information, trying to learn as much as I could about Cushings Disease. The thought of losing my pup was terrible. At least a prognosis would let me know what to expect. What I found repeated over and over again, was that dogs generally have a 2-year life expectancy after diagnosis. This is thought to be because Cushings Disease tends to be a disease found in older dogs, who are already nearing the end of their natural lifespans.

From what I've read & and discussed with our vet, it's hard to say whether there is an 'average' life expectancy for dogs with Cushings. Cushings is an 'old dog disease'... and old dogs often have other illnesses or problems in addition to canine Cushings. I know that's true for my dog; he has liver disease too, and that became a much more immediate problem than the Cushings. Other pet owners I know with Cushingoid dogs have told me that their dogs have battled pancreatitis, chronic skin and bladder infections, kidney disease, cancers, and many other things too.

We can only do our best. Learning to manage your dog's Cushings disease, along with the other issues that can crop up, can be a challenge - and it really helps to be able to talk to others in the same situation. Here is one great support forum for people with Cushingoid dogs.

At the time of writing, my dog is 15 and a half years old. It has been over one year from diagnosis and he appears to still be going strong. His Cushings Disease is not being managed at the moment due to his other health concerns, which are the more pressing issues right now. The only thing we're doing is providing him with supportive supplements for his liver (specifically, Zentonil and Marin, which are basically SAMe and VitaminE/milk thistle, respectively). His symptoms are undoubtedly progressing, particularly the excessive drinking and the weakening of his back end. And yet he continues to be happy and active. He doesn't know he has Cushings or any other disease for that matter, so he keeps enjoying life to the fullest.

Apparently, canine Cushings life expectancy is approximately the same, whether the dog is treated or is not. Many senior dogs have concurrent health problems, so it becomes a balancing act of deciding what's in the best interests of the dog to treat (sometimes, making their lives easier and more comfortable is all you can do). The reason for treating Cushings Disease is primarily to provide a better quality of life for your dog for whatever time he has left.

More on Cushings Dogs:

Symptoms of Cushings Disease in Dogs

Treatment for Cushings Disease in Dogs

Cushex Drops Reviews - Did It Work for Our Cushings Dog?

*Canine Cushings - Life Expectancy