Cushing’s Disease in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment & Cost

By the Pawlee Team

Diagnosis cost

£300–£700

Treatment cost

£1000–£3000

Ongoing cost

£50–£150 per month

Severity

Moderate

Treatable

Manageable

Species

Dogs

What is cushing’s disease?

Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) occurs when a dog’s body produces too much cortisol, a stress hormone made by the adrenal glands. The most common cause is a small, benign tumour on the pituitary gland in the brain, which overdrives cortisol production. Less commonly, a tumour on one of the adrenal glands is responsible. Cushing’s typically affects middle-aged to older dogs and can be tricky to diagnose because its symptoms overlap with many other conditions.

Symptoms to watch for

See a vet soon

Excessive drinking and urination
Increased appetite and begging for food
Pot-bellied appearance
Hair loss, particularly on the body and flanks
Thin, fragile skin that bruises easily
Panting more than usual
Lethargy and muscle weakness
Recurring skin or urinary tract infections

How is cushing’s disease diagnosed?

Test	Typical cost
ACTH stimulation test or low-dose dexamethasone suppression test	£150–£350
Full blood panel and urinalysis	£100–£200
Abdominal ultrasound (to assess adrenal glands)	£150–£300

Treatment options and costs

Medical management with trilostane

£50–£150 per month ongoing

Trilostane (Vetoryl) is the standard medical treatment, given daily to suppress cortisol production. Regular blood tests (ACTH stimulation tests) are needed to monitor levels and adjust the dose, especially in the first few months. Most dogs show significant improvement within 2–4 weeks of starting treatment.

Adrenalectomy (surgical removal of adrenal tumour)

£2,000–£3,000

If Cushing’s is caused by an adrenal gland tumour, surgical removal may be curative. This is a major abdominal operation and carries significant risks, so it’s typically only recommended when the tumour is non-invasive and the dog is otherwise a good surgical candidate. Performed by specialist surgeons.

Initial workup and stabilisation

£500–£1,000

The diagnostic process for Cushing’s disease often requires multiple blood tests and imaging to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether the pituitary or adrenal gland is responsible. This initial phase can take several weeks and involves repeated veterinary visits.

Ongoing costs

Estimated ongoing management cost

£50–£150 per month

monthly

Breeds most at risk

Breed	Risk level
Staffordshire Bull Terrier	Moderate
Cockapoo	Moderate
Cavapoo	Moderate
Jack Russell Terrier	Moderate
Beagle	Moderate
Dachshund	Moderate

Does pet insurance cover cushing’s disease?

Cushing’s disease is covered by lifetime pet insurance policies provided it develops after the policy start date. Because the condition requires ongoing medication (trilostane is not cheap) and regular blood monitoring, a lifetime policy is strongly recommended. Annual medication and monitoring costs can reach £1,000–£2,500 per year. Time-limited policies will stop covering the condition after 12 months, which could leave you facing significant ongoing costs. Check that your policy’s annual benefit limit is adequate for both the initial diagnostic workup and long-term management.

Related conditions

Diabetes Dogs Skin Allergies Dogs

Frequently asked questions

How much does Cushing’s disease cost to treat in dogs?

Initial diagnosis typically costs £300–£700 across multiple tests. Ongoing trilostane medication costs £50–£150 per month depending on the dog’s size, plus £150–£350 every 3–6 months for monitoring blood tests. Annual costs of £1,000–£2,500 are typical. Adrenal surgery, where appropriate, costs £2,000–£3,000.

Can Cushing’s disease in dogs be cured?

Adrenal-dependent Cushing’s can potentially be cured with surgery to remove the adrenal tumour, but this is only suitable for some cases. Pituitary-dependent Cushing’s (the more common form, around 85% of cases) is managed with lifelong medication rather than cured. With proper treatment, most dogs have a good quality of life.

How long can a dog live with Cushing’s disease?

With treatment, many dogs live 2–4 years after diagnosis, which is often a normal remaining lifespan given that the condition mainly affects older dogs. Untreated Cushing’s increases the risk of serious complications like diabetes, blood clots, and infections. Early diagnosis and consistent treatment give the best outcomes.

Why is Cushing’s disease so hard to diagnose?

The symptoms – increased drinking, urinating, and appetite – overlap with many other conditions including diabetes, kidney disease, and liver problems. No single blood test is 100% accurate, so vets often need to run multiple specialised tests (ACTH stimulation test, dexamethasone suppression test, urine cortisol ratios) before reaching a confident diagnosis. The process can take several weeks.