Cushing's Disease, Canine - contd.
The outlook for surgical treatment of adrenal gland tumors is fairly good, provided that the animal survives the surgery and the period immediately after it. As a rule, dogs with benign adrenal gland tumors live longer than dogs with malignant tumors. Metastasis, or spread of a malignant tumor, makes for a worse prognosis. Such animals can be treated successfully with medication to help keep symptoms under control after surgery. Dogs that survive surgery are reported to have an average survival time of as long as 36 months.
Dogs treated successfully for PDH live approximately two years. Some dogs do not do that well, while others may live for 10 years or more depending on their age at the time of diagnosis, the presence of additional disorders, and the development of complications related to the treatment. Relapses are common in patients treated medically, with many dogs requiring medication adjustments due to recurrence of signs in the first year. Almost half of all dogs with Cushing's disease that die do so because of problems related either to the disease itself or its treatment. However, despite a guarded long-term prognosis, the majority of dogs can lead lives of an excellent quality with careful monitoring and attention to detail.
