Deciding when to euthanize a dog with Cushing’s disease can be heartbreaking. That’s why integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby invited her friend, end-of-life care veterinarian Dr. Dawnetta Woodruff, to share some heartfelt words of wisdom and comfort. Dr. Woodruff explains how to recognize the final stages of advanced Cushing’s disease and gives advice about when it might be time to say goodbye to your dear dog.
Finding out your dog has Cushing’s disease can feel stressful and overwhelming. What will this mean for your dog? Will you need to euthanize your dog because of his or her Cushing’s? How will you know it is the right time to put your dog down?
These are all valid questions. Dr. Buzby has already written an excellent in-depth blog on Cushing’s Disease in dogs that address the medical aspects of the disease. So I’ll quickly hit the high points before moving on to the goal of this article—preparing you for the challenging decisions that may lie ahead.
Cushing’s disease basics
In short, Cushing’s disease means that your dog’s body is producing an excessive amount of the steroid cortisol. This is problematic because having the correct amount of steroid hormones is important for the body to function correctly.
Normally, the pituitary gland (located in the brain) produces the ACTH hormone which tells the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. But, when either of these glands isn’t working correctly, steroid levels can become too low (i.e. Addison’s disease in dogs, which is also called hypoadrenocorticism). Or, they can become too high (i.e. Cushing’s disease, which is also called hyperadrenocorticism).
If your vet suspects your dog has Cushing’s disease, he or she will run blood tests (and possibly perform some imaging) to reach a diagnosis. Then, he or she will formulate a treatment plan, which usually involves lifelong medications like trilostane for dogs or surgery to remove a cortisol-producing adrenal gland tumor. Plus, your vet will discuss how to care for your dog with Cushing’s disease. And he or she can help answer the question in the back of your mind—how long can my dog live with Cushing’s disease?
What is the life expectancy for dogs with Cushing’s disease?
If you were to look at the various papers published in veterinary journals, you would see that the average survival time after diagnosis is 2-2.5 years for dogs with Cushing’s disease due to an ACTH-producing pituitary tumor (i.e. pituitary-dependent Cushing’s disease). And for dogs with an adrenal tumor (i.e. adrenal dependent Cushing’s disease), the average survival time is 1 year with medications and ranges from 1.5-4 years (depending on the paper) with surgery.
Keep in mind, though, that these numbers are averages. When it comes to looking at the prognosis for Cushing’s disease, accounting for the differences from one dog to another is important.
Some dogs receive a diagnosis of Cushing’s disease, and their disease seems to progress slowly. They are otherwise healthy enough to have surgery to treat an adrenal gland tumor in dogs (if indicated), they respond well to medications, and they continue enjoying a relatively normal life for years.
Other dogs go downhill much more rapidly. They may already be frail at the time of their diagnosis. Or they may have other life-altering diseases as well, such as diabetes, kidney failure in dogs, canine cognitive dysfunction, osteoarthritis in dogs, or heart disease in dogs. These dogs may seem worn down, have little energy to enjoy life, and have numerous secondary infections. In those cases, they may only live with Cushing’s for a short time (weeks to months) after their diagnosis.
How will I know when to euthanize my dog with Cushing’s disease?
These differences in outcome demonstrate that every dog and every disease process is different. And that is part of what makes Cushing’s such a frustrating disease for pet caretakers and veterinarians alike.
There is no definitive point where euthanasia becomes a clear-cut or easy decision. But knowing the signs of advanced Cushing’s disease, how to decide if you should keep going with treatments, and how to assess your dog’s quality of life, can help with the decision of when to put a dog down.
What are the symptoms of advanced Cushing’s disease in dogs?
Your dog’s Cushing’s disease may be worsening if you see the following signs:
- Significantly increased thirst in dogs (i.e. polydipsia) and severe increases in urination volume (i.e. polyuria)
- Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs in dogs) because the excessive cortisol suppresses the immune system
- Dramatic weight gain, especially in the belly, gives a pot-bellied dog appearance
- Ravenous appetite, sometimes to the point of stealing food from the table or the counter
- Panting (even when your dog is not excited or hot)
- Rapid breathing (when your dog is at rest, or even sleeping)
- Weak muscles, which may make your dog unable to go for long walks, or cause problems jumping or climbing stairs
- Sleeping much more than normal (may include restless sleep)
- Loss of fur or thinning fur (including hair loss on a dog’s tail)
- Changes in skin pigmentation (especially the presence of new black pigment in the skin)
- Skin infections (i.e. pyoderma in dogs) that take a long time to heal, or don’t heal even with appropriate medications
- Smelly oily skin or wounds that ooze and seem tender to the touch
- Constant licking or chewing on the skin and itchy dog paws
- GI distress (diarrhea and/or vomiting)
- Sudden weakness or being a severely lethargic dog
- Confusion or disorientation (can look similar to the signs of dementia in dogs)
- Periods of time when your dog seems unresponsive, or can’t easily be woken up
- Collapse
What do you do if you see these signs?
If your dog is showing some of the symptoms on this list, it would be a good idea to schedule an appointment with your regular veterinarian. He or she may be able to adjust your dog’s medications. Or the vet may suggest adding another medication to help reduce the common symptoms of Cushing’s.
(Please note, sometimes the progression of symptoms is rapid, or your dog starts experiencing more severe symptoms like sudden weakness or collapse. In those situations, you may need to make an emergency vet visit rather than a regular appointment.)
Should I keep treating my dog’s Cushing’s disease and associated problems?
However, just because you can try a treatment, doesn’t always mean you should. Yes, the goal of treating a dog with Cushing’s disease is to control the cortisol levels and manage the dog’s symptoms. But it is also to find ways to minimize the overall decrease in your dog’s quality of life.
Some dogs take pills well. And they allow their family to bathe them and apply ointments to their skin to manage the skin problems that often accompany Cushing’s disease. For these sweet pups, the things you need to do to treat Cushing’s disease do not decrease their quality of life at all. And providing care may not be stressful for their human family.
On the other hand, some dogs have severe anxiety when it is bath time. A normally sweet pup may even try to bite when their skin is inflamed and painful due to their disease. Or they may have an extremely difficult time taking medications (even after trying Dr. Buzby’s tips for dogs who won’t take pills). This can mean that giving pills quickly becomes everyone’s least favorite part of the day. Alternatively, even if your dog takes pills well, some medications have unpleasant side effects that may decrease quality of life.
For these precious dogs, you need to look at the whole picture. There may come a time when decreasing their treatments is the best choice, even though their symptoms are worsening.
Deciding that enough is enough
In those cases where a dog no longer tolerates treatments, when the monetary commitment becomes too burdensome, or when caregiver fatigue is severe, it is time to consider euthanasia as the kindest option. There is no shame in admitting that your dog’s medical needs have become burdensome. We all wish we had an unlimited budget of money and time to devote to our pets. However, that is not often the case. And that is ok.
It is important to preserve the human-animal bond above all else. And a big part of preserving that bond is focusing more on the quality of your dog’s life than on the number of days.
Assessing the quality of life for dogs with Cushing’s disease
While it is a critical part of decision-making, evaluating the quality of life is not an easy “one-step” process. However, there are several quality of life scales for dogs that can be helpful when filled out on a regular basis. Plus, you may want to consider the answers to these Cushing’s disease-focused quality of life questions:
- Is eating taking over your dog’s day? Has food become an obsession? Does he seem satisfied, or is he always hungry (even after just finishing a meal)?
- Is she drinking so much that she is having accidents in the house? Is she urinating in her bed?
- Is she able to keep herself clean, or does she allow you to clean her when needed?
- Is he able to enjoy his favorite things? Does he still hate the things he’s always hated (like the vacuum)?
- Is she able to sleep well at night, and does she seem awake during the day?
- Is his skin comfortable? Does he seem to lick and chew at himself every waking moment?
- If he needs medicated baths or topical medications, is he comfortable while these treatments are given?
If your dog’s appetite, hydration, hygiene, skin health, and sleep are all affected, the quality of life has dramatically decreased due to Cushing’s disease. At that point (or even before) it may be time to consider euthanasia as the kindest decision.
When is the “best time” to euthanize your dog with Cushing’s disease?
Most of the time, there is not one right day to put a dog down with Cushing’s. Instead, there tends to be a window of time where euthanasia is a kind and appropriate choice. As Cushing’s disease progresses, there will come a time when watching your dog continue to struggle is even harder than letting him or her go.
A dog whose skin always hurts, who is always hungry and thirsty, and who is restless and exhausted, is not a happy dog with a good quality of life. And neither is a dog who hates taking pills or being bathed. In these cases, setting him or her free from his or her struggles often becomes the most merciful choice.
The decision window
Some families are comfortable making the decision a little bit earlier in the course of the disease. Their dog may really hate vet visits and medications, so they take a more conservative approach to treatment. Choosing euthanasia early means they may miss a bit of quality time together. But it allows them to know they have helped their beloved dog avoid all suffering.
For other families, they need to wait longer, exhausting all options for treating and managing the disease. They know that their sweet pup may suffer for a short time. But to them, a few difficult days are worth it to ensure they were able to spend as many good days together as possible.
Neither decision is “right” or “wrong”—and the same family could make a different decision with two different dogs, even if they have the same disease. Each dog’s personality and ability to handle the struggles that come with Cushing’s disease is unique. That means there really is no “one-size-fits-all” answer.
Use your resources but also trust your instincts
When trying to make this difficult decision of when to euthanize your dog with Cushing’s disease, it can be helpful to seek the opinions of others. You may wish to consult with your dog’s regular veterinarian or a veterinarian who provides dog hospice care. Or you may want to ask trusted friends and family members for help.
All of these people can give you valuable advice as you weigh the severity of your dog’s illness. But it is important to remember that you know your pup better than anyone else. You are the one that spends every day with him or her. And you are the one who sees the true extent of his or her struggles.
If he or she seems brighter and happier when friends and family visit, or more alert and aware when you go to the vet’s office, other people may tell you he or she has more time. However, you are the one who sees your dog day in and day out. If you see the majority of his or her time is spent merely existing, instead of truly living, then it is no doubt a kind choice to set him or her free.
Give yourself grace and compassion. These decisions are never easy—but if you are trying your best to care for your pup and make a kind and reasonable decision, that is the best anyone could ask you to do.
How did you know when it was time to euthanize your dog with Cushing’s disease?
Please comment below.
Thank you for the beautiful article! It helped me considerably.
My bichon dog will be 13 years old this Nov and she was diagnosed Cushing 4 years ago.
The symptoms flared up here and there but usually was controlled by the medicine till now.
She drinks and urinates every 1-2 hours, even at nights, her potbelly is getting worse, she is loosing her tail hair, whines all the time and panting.
We took her to the vet and he did all the test he could do in general vet office and surprisingly all test results are in normal range including cortisol level.
I just don’t understand how. Her Cushing symptoms are getting worse but test results don’t show that.
That fact makes the decision harder. Any advice?
Thank you!
Dear Suzanne,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with your senior dog. Without examining your girl, myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. If the Cushing’s seems to be well controlled, then I would suspect there is something else contributing to these issues. Did your vet happen to check a urine sample? Just wondering if your girl could also be diabetic? If you are seeing your dog’s health decline and facing a decision to say goodbye, it might be worth increasing the dose of her Cushing’s medication just to see if it makes a difference. I know that is not ideal, but the risks may be much less than the potential benefits. Hoping you can find the answers you need to guide you in this emotional decision-making process. Praying for a positive outcome. Bless you both.
hello I just found out My 15 yr old Maltese may have Cushing awell as an enlarged liver they want to do the blood test to confirm it’s so expensive I don’t have that kind of money in the last 2 months I have put out hundreds she has every one of the symptoms does that mean she getting close to the end of her life so don’t try and stress myself about money that may not even save her i know it’s my decision but again witj your knowledge of this does it soundl it’s time to prepare myself?
thank you
barbara
Dear Barbara,
I am so sorry your senior girl is dealing with all these issues at once. Without examining her myself, I can’t make specific conclusions about how advanced her disease is or if the additional testing would be worthwhile. I can say that there are many dogs with severe symptoms that see a dramatic improvement once they start treatment for Cushing’s. I think it would be best for you to talk to your vet and discuss your concerns. They can let you know if your dog’s quality of life is poor and if saying goodbye is the most loving choice. If finances are limiting your options, make sure your vet is aware. While it is not ideal to start treatment for Cushing’s without a definitive diagnosis, this may be something your vet would consider just to see if it will help turn things around for your sweet girl. If it doesn’t work, or makes things worse, then you still have the ability to say goodbye if needed. I wish I knew what was best and could help guide you in the right direction. I hope you can find the answers you need to navigate this difficult path. Wishing you both the best of luck. Bless you.
Our sweet boy, Hamilton, who is a maltipoo, was diagnosed with Cushing’s about six months ago. It all started when a couple years ago he suddenly became lethargic, and the vet told us he had autoimmune hemolytic anemia. They prescribed lots of prednisone. He got very heavy and drank water all the time and had accidents. Someone else on these responses said that the prednisone may have brought on Cushing’s. Or maybe underlying Cushing’s brought on the anemia?
Anyway, Hami is almost 8 years old, and while he definitely has many Cushing’s symptoms and is on medication for that (very hungry, very thirsty, pants a lot, potbelly), he does seem happy. Then again, even when he was little (we got him as a one year old from the Animal Human Society), he was very hungry, etc. Maybe he’s always had it?
Lately his symptoms seem to be increasing, despite the medication initially showing his cortisol levels were back to normal. We have an appointment for him in early October to see a new vet and we’re hoping to get some better control over the symptoms if possible. We don’t feel his current vet understands the disease well.
Also, on his right back/haunch area, there appears to be a large bump. Is it possible to actually feel and see an adrenal tumor?
Like I said, Hami seems pretty happy still and we are hoping we have some good years ahead of us. But we are realistic that the future could get tougher. It breaks my heart reading all these messages and my wife and I are thinking of all of you and your cutie pie pups.
Hi Tony and Theresa,
I am sorry Hamilton has been dealing with so many issues over the past few months. Cushing’s disease occurs when the body begins to make too much of its own steroid and the symptoms, we see are due to the steroid affects. So, it is common for dogs that have to take steroids for other problems to develop iatrogenic Cushing’s disease. While I cannot say for sure what brought on this disease in your pup without examining him myself, this could be the case. It is tricky to balance a deadly disease with the side effects of the treatment. Is Hamilton still taking the prednisone? You should not be able to feel the adrenal tumor if one is present (Cushing’s can also be caused by a pituitary gland issue). The adrenal gland is located next to the kidney and is well tucked inside the abdomen. With that being said, it would be good to have the new vet also take a look at the bump and make sure it does not need to be addressed. I will attach a link to another article all about Cushing’s disease that may fill in some of the gaps. Hoping this will help guide you along this unknown path. Wishing you and Hamilton all the best for many happy days ahead.
Cushing’s Disease in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Medications
Thank you for the information. He is not on the prednisone as the anemia stopped. All the Cushings symptoms seemed like holdovers from how he acted during the time he was taking prednisone. They’ve just increased (like the addition of the pot belly, and the panting). I’m really glad he’s going back into the vet here in a couple weeks.
hi I have a Cup Yorkshire terrier Chloe who is 13 .1/2 she was diagnosed with Cushing 4 months ago .
she was very bloated always hungry and drinking alot . sleeping all the time just this week everything has changed. she gone back to her old self. she not on any medication the vet said dont give her any its gone to far just keep her has comfortable has we can . could the Cushing have revised
Hi Susan,
I am glad Chloe seems to be feeling better. Cushing’s is not a disease that goes into remission or resolves on its own. So, I am not sure if your girl is just having a good week or what has happened to improve her quality of life. Consider this as a gift and enjoy the time you have together. Bless you both. ♥
Dear Drs, Buzby and Woodruff,
We appreciate your thorough, informative and compassionate article. Recently diagnosed, our 12 year old poochon is almost back to normal with medication. There is guilt though knowing that right now the cost and the lack of sleep is effecting our own health and fixed income pocket book but she seems to be feeling comfortable. We will thoughtfully consider the points of the article and pray we make the best decision for our Tripper. Thanks again.
Dear Deborah,
Thank you for the kind words. I am glad Tripper seems to be improving since starting the medication. I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts and wishing you all the best. Bless you. ♥
My 6 year old Shih Tzu was diagnose cushings at 5 years old. Meds worked for a while, then we recently increased dose but to no avail. My sweet girl is hungry all the time, is always thirst and is now having accidents again even though she gets outside every 4- 6 hours. Doesn’t enjoy walks as she tired easily. Difficulty breathing at night and very potbellied. Heading back to the vet next week . Difficult as she is part of a bonded pair – her sister is full of energy and always wants to play and walk. She is patient but doesn’t want to go on walks without her sibling nor sleep apart from her. She senses something is not right with her sister.
I’m not sure what vet will recommend- so difficult she is only 6 yo.
Hi Victoria,
I am sorry your girl is having so many issues and her health is declining. I hope your vet can give you some guidance and help you navigate this difficult path. Praying your sweet girl can find peace and comfort. Wishing you strength to face each new day.
My dog is 16 years old and has all the signs of Cushing. She has lost some weight, sometimes looks sad but once in awhile will play a little. She also has difficulty because she has few teeth left. The Dr wants to do tests to confirm which will cost 300 dollars and the give medicine to help symptoms. What are the chances medicine will even help. She is definitely hard to give medicine to. So many questions. I just don’t want to pay a 300 dollar test and my dog won’t get better except for a very short time. Are most dogs helped?
Hi Vivian,
I understand your concern for your senior girl and why you are conflicted about how to proceed. If your pup does in fact have Cushing’s disease, the medication has a high likelihood of improving her quality of life. Most dogs show a great improvement in their symptoms and energy level once the medication is regulated, and their cortisol levels have stabilized. Wishing you and your sweet girl the best. Feel free to leave an update anytime!
Thank you Dr. Buzby for taking the time to share your knowledge and advice.
I read a few of the recent comments. Unfortunately though, I was not able to read them all. Reading everyone’s words have given me some semblance of comfort while sleeping beside my baby on the floor, however my heart breaks for each and every one of you. My furbaby (honestly my soul mate) will be twelve October 1st of this year. I rescued him when he was just four weeks old. He is my best friend. I don’t remember the exact date that we (his vet and I) started discussing Cushing’s or when treatment started. His vet was amazing and the process went very quickly. The diagnosis was devastating. But, what’s worse is watching him deteriorate at such a rapid rate. And, I use the word deteriorate instead of decline on purpose, because that is what is happening. I never imagined that this intelligent, well mannered, energetic, gentle being would so rapidly turn into this tired old man who has lost his eye sight (unless he is looking for the water bowl of course lol), is grumpy, falls all the time, begs for human food like he didn’t just have dinner, and only has the energy to bark when my other pups bark. And, two nights ago I think he had a seizure while trying to follow me to my bedroom. It’s gut wrenching and soul crushing to watch your furbaby go through this.
Long story short, thank you not only Dr. Buzby, but everyone else who shared their stories. I have been struggling with how to proceed. I am very “quality over quantity” oriented (I discussed prognosis with my vet at the very beginning), so I have been attempting to prepare my mind for the inevitable. But, I’m not ready.. I don’t want to let him go for selfish reasons. While researching “when to euthanize after a canine Cushing diagnosis” I came upon this website. And, it has helped more than you know. It has also calmed my brain and my heart slightly.
Prayers and love to all who have to endure this tragic diagnosis. Thank you for loving your babies through this when so many would’ve given up on them by now.
Dear Osha,
Thank you for sharing your dog’s story with me. I am so sorry to hear that you both are going through this, but I am glad the blog was able to bring you comfort during this difficult time. My heart is with you and your sweet boy. ♥
We are going through this right now. Our doxie Fritz is struggling to breathe. He has cushings and diabetes. We found out his heart is enlarged and he has a tumor. His liver is twice the size it should be. This article just helped me reach a decision. It’s about quality not quantity. He is starving and sleeps most of the time. That’s not a good life for a dog. It’s just really hard to set them free but he is struggling.
Dear Lori,
I am so sorry Fritz is struggling and his health is declining. I am glad you found the information and advice you needed to make the best decision for everyone involved. My thoughts are with you as you face this emotional path ahead. Praying for your comfort and that Fritz’s passing will be smooth and peaceful.
I’m so sorry you are going through this. Our dog has terminal cancer and developed Cushing’s from the prednisone in addition recently.
He has become so fixated on food that he has a hard time sleeping and sits and stares at his bowl for hours at a time if I don’t keep him away from it. He will literally be begging for food just minutes after eating a whole bowl, I have to tell him ‘no, not yet’ about 20+ times a day to redirect him from thinking of food.
He even got food aggressive with one of our other dogs which is so unlike him and was our last sign needed it’s time.
We have decided between this and the cancer we need to set him free and have an at home euthanasia appointment set for this Friday. Though absolutely devastated, I have to admit I am a bit relieved that I can feed him a bit more without worry and know that an end is in sight for his mental anguish. His personality and affection has greatly diminished in the past couple of months as well, and we do not want him to just ‘exist’ for us….he is a shell of his former self with just a glint of himself left in his eyes which is honestly this most heartbreaking thing for me. It’s felt like he is already ‘gone’.
We are not even upset that the drugs induced this as they have given him nine more months with us that were relatively good that we wouldn’t have had otherwise. I’m so sorry for your loss, but you are a great pet parent thinking of your pet’s well being first.
We put our beautiful boy down August 16. He was 16-1/2. He struggled his whole life with allergies and hypothyroidism. That was hard enough, but he was tough and healthy otherwise.
In January, his coat began to change. He lost all the hair on his back which turned black. . He started drinking more, was panting regularly, and was always itchy as his body was full of yeast. Pills didn’t seem to be working anymore! He was very sleepy and lethargic, but there were the moments when he’d look and act like a puppy still. It’s those moments that make that decision the hardest, but when 90% of the time, he seemed to be struggling, we knew the time was coming!
We’ve cried for 12 days! We’ll miss him! He was soooo special! His name was Wilson, he was a very handsome Jack Russel.
RIP Wilson ❤️
Dear Heather,
I am so sorry for your loss of Wilson. My heart goes out to you during this difficult situation. Praying for strength and comfort. ♥
Very good article
We put our 14yr old Jack Russell to rest yesterday. It was such a hard decision to make.
Dear Kim,
I am sorry for the loss of your beloved pup. ♥
Doctor, thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thorough and eloquent description of the disease and exactly what we are experiencing.
It really hit me when you said ‘your dog may perk up around others, so they think he’s fine….but you know his day to day is tormenting.’ I couldn’t have described the torn feeling better.
This gave me the insight and reassurance that we are doing the absolute best thing by setting him free on Friday….with a belly FULL of rotisserie chicken since his one last joy is food and we can finally let him let loose. RIP Remy ❤️
Dear Karissa,
I appreciate the kind words about the article and am so glad it offered assurance and comfort as you facet this most difficult decision. I read your other two replies as well and my heart just aches for you and your sweet boy. You are making the ultimate act of selflessness by allowing your own heart to break so Remy can find freedom and peace. Praying for your strength. Bless you both. ♥
My mixed Chihuahua is only 6 years old with Cushings Disease. My little boy hasn’t had a life at all. I have him on medsnow, but, it’s just so unfair, he hasn’t lived much of his life. My heart will break in half, it’s. amazing how much we love them! He will be sorely missed!
Dear Rhonda,
My heart goes out to you as you navigate this difficult path. Wishing you and your little guy comfort and peace. Bless you both.
I find comfort in knowing I’m not alone in this difficult time with my sweet dog. She’s been fighting Cushings so well but is starting to decline much more noticeably, hence how I wound up here. Thank you so Dr. Buzby for normalizing per parents’ feelings, needs, & challenges. I am so grateful for this information & insight.
Dear Maryam,
I am sorry your sweet girl’s health is starting to decline and you are facing this difficult situation. I pray for your strength and comfort and for clarity in your decision making. Bless you both.
My Maltese has cushings disease and heart problems.
The thought of euthanasia has started to creep into my thoughts recently but I keep pushing it away. 😪
However, for the past month I’ve noticed a couple of subtle changes. Restless sleep , eating habits, different bowel movements and now she is off her food and has been vomiting and trembling tonight..
I’m going to my vet tomorrow to get my girl checked and I’m struggling with the thought of euthanasia ….I don’t know what to do 😪
Dear Karen,
My heart goes out to you as you navigate this difficult path. While saying goodbye may be the best and most loving option, there could also be a treatment that would help to restore your sweet girl’s quality of life. I hope you have a positive experience at your vet visit today. Praying you get the answers and advice you need to make a decision with which you can be at peace. Bless you and your little pup. ♥
We put our dog down a few days ago. She had Cushings and diabetes. We had her for 12 years. This is a sorrow I have never felt before but this was the best decision the vet said both are hard to treat. My husband and myself are still crying and feeling the pain of this loss.
Dear Bev,
My heart goes out to you as you grieve the loss of your sweet girl. I am so sorry you had to say goodbye but glad you were able to offer her freedom from her suffering. I am praying for your comfort and peace for your heart. Bless you. ♥
I found this as I am devastated and grieving the loss of our cushing’s dog who came down with pneumonia. The vet felt this the kindest option. I’ve been inconsolable. I miss him so much. He was diagnosed in 2021, and the drugs really did not seem to help him. It’s a frustrating disease. He was the sweetest dog and I am never going to be the same without him.
Dear Jenn,
My heart aches for you with the recent loss of your beloved pup. You made a loving choice to give him freedom from his suffering and I am certain he knew how much you cared. I hope with time your heart will heal and may his memory be a blessing in your life. ♥
It feels so validating to know others are struggling with watching their baby go thru this.. I’m likely making the tough decision tomorrow and giving him a few more days of love and as many treats as he wants ):
Dear Caleb,
My heart goes out to you as you make this emotional decision for your boy. You are not alone, and I appreciate you being willing to share your thoughts with us. Praying for your strength and comfort. Bless you and your pup.
Omg I really feel your pain. I have tears in my eyes. I am in an identical position with my girl. I’ve got a sinking feeling in my stomach.
I wish you well , cherish your memories and photos.
My little miniature pinscher is struggling with this disease as well. I am so heartbroken. I don’t know when is the best time to euthanize her. I don’t want to let her go but I also don’t want her to suffer anymore. I’m am so sorry 🥲
Dear Tina,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with your little pup. Praying you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for you and your sweet girl. Wishing you strength and comfort. ♥
thinking about all the parents and beloved dogs on here ill pray for you to have peace
My heart goes out to you and your dog. We are going through the same issues. Our dog
Is 15, Cushings since May 2020. So skinny now, won’t eat her food, only some treats.
We called vet to come to house for ‘end of life’. It is so hard, crying a lot,
Take care and know you are in a lot of peoples thoughts and prayers.
Dear Bonnie,
My thoughts are with you as you navigate this emotional journey. Bless you and your sweet girl. ♥
When the seizures increased in frequency & severity for us…. Wish we had let her go a little earlier than we did. heartbreaking disease.
i have a 9 yr old being diagnosed with Cushings. According to what I have read she is stage 3 with panting, thirsty pot belly, liver mass. Vet wants to run more test to medicate for quality of life. Reading might get 2 yrs and high costs. Do not won’t her suffering or going into diabetes. She is very high anxiety driven. woukd like some advice.
Hi Laura,
I understand your concern for your senior girl and all the issues that come with a diagnosis of Cushing’s disease. I am not sure I am clear on what options you are considering. Have you started her on medication to treat the Cushing’s? It might be worth a trial run to see what benefit it offers. You might be surprised at how much it improves your pup’s quality of life. Of course, if the treatment is not an option or your vet thinks your girl is suffering, then euthanasia may be the most loving choice. I wish I had better advice or knew what the best next step would be. Hoping you find a way forward and your sweet girl can find peace.
Gosh it’s so hard…. Pi is 16, Wants to eat all the time, pees a lot,, drinks a lot, her muscles are weak now. She lays on her side and can’t get back up many times, I’ve made appointment for lady to come to my home on Saturday.. I need to remind myself she has had a wonderful life and quit beating myself up!!
🙏🐾🐾 Thank you for article!
Dear Becky,
I am sorry for your loss of Pi. I know the decision to say goodbye was very emotional but came from a place of love. I am glad you were able to have a vet come to your house so Pi could stay where she was most comfortable. Hoping her passing was smooth and peaceful. May the memories of all the times you shared be a blessing in your life.
Thank you for this compassionate article. Our 13 year old was diagnosed a year ago. Along with other senior conditions he is declining. I have been telling myself today is not the day but I am aware it will be soon. Until then we will try to provide his best life.
Dear Sandy,
My thoughts are with you during this emotional time. Praying you will know what is best and wishing you both comfort and peace.
This is so so helpful. Matea was diagnosed with Cushings disease 4 years ago. These past few months she has been declining, vet is trying to adjust meds. etc. but I can see that she is not the same Matea and my tiime with will be ending soon. This has truly helped me know that I will know the right time.
Dear Sharon,
My heart goes out to you as you navigate this emotional path. I am glad the article offered some guidance and comfort for your heart. Wishing you and Matea joy in each day you are gifted. Bless you both. ♥
Thank you for this information. My heat breaks for my 8 year old Dachshund that was diagnosed with Cushings about 1 1/2 years ago. She takes medication daily. She has struggled with constant UTI’s, skin infections. I. The past two weeks she is drinking 6 or more bowls of water daily and very large amount of diluted urine. Her vet is treating her for yet again a UTI. I have seen zero improvement after taking the antibiotics for over a week. My gut tells me that her Cushings is worsening. I don’t know what to do. I can’t get my vet to speak to me about timing of letting this precious baby of mine go. Your article has been the best information that I have read. Thank you so much.
Dear Vicky,
My heart aches for you as you face this emotional decision for your senior girl. I am glad you found the article to be helpful and comforting. I will attach links to other articles with more information that may help guide you through this process. I pray for your strength and peace for your heart. Bless you and your sweet pup.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Signs Your Dog is Dying: A Caring Message to Bring You Peace
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
4. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
my 9 yr old cavachon was diagnosed with cushings 1 yr ago went thru all the symptoms thirst, frequent urinations, total hair loss, pot belly ,weight gain. Now he is on many meds, lost some weight, hair has grown back even fuller & thicker than ever, sleeps most the time. no appetite .looks for places to hide his head now & small places to sleep. spent more $15,000. but I can’t let him go will he be in pain eventually?
Dear A Gloria,
My heart goes out to you as you facet this difficult situation. It is hard for me to assess your dog’s quality of life and make predictions about what the future may hold without examining him myself. I recommend you talk to your vet about your worries and concerns. They may be able to offer better advice. How is your pup feeling today? Wishing you both the best and bless you.
Our elderly little Chihuahua mix was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease over a year ago. He’s done pretty well (lab work shows the disease is well controlled with medication), but we definitely struggle with his appetite and begging for food. We had him on fresh food (Farmer’s Dog) but he seemed hungry all the time. We recently tried Hills Metabolic formula at the suggestion of our vet, but he didn’t like it and would refuse to eat. It was heart breaking to see him get excited about food and then turn away disappointed. Now we’re trying to find a balance mixing Farmer’s Dog and Hills Metabolic to see if we can find a sweet spot to keep him happy and full. It’s not an easy condition to live with, and we want so badly for him to be happy.
Hi DeAnna,
I am sorry to hear that your little Chihuahua mix was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. It sounds like you are doing a great job trying to help him navigate his appetite and this disease. Thank you for working so hard to find that sweet spot so he can be happy. Praying for strength and healing for you both ♥
I lost my dachshund 3 years ago to cushings and my mini schnauzer was diagnosed with it about a year later. There are more severe symptoms with my schnauzer, I’m making an appt with my vet to discuss end of life care. He has a lot of confusion lately and he’s started nipping me which he’s never done before. I didn’t experience these symptoms with my dachshund though. This article really helped me understand what he’s going through. He has an insatiable appetite also, sleeps 20 hours out of the day, he is very hard to wake up at times and is very confused for about 30 seconds after waking up. He also has a wound on his back that hasn’t healed in 6 months even though he’s been medication for it. Nails are brittle and break a lot and he gets constant eye infections. It breaks my heart., he’s 13 years young.
Hi Lindsay,
My heart goes out to you. It is so difficult to watch the same disease take a toll on two of your beloved dogs at different times. I know it must have been incredibly hard, but I think it is very wise of you to make an appointment with your vet to talk about end-of-life care. I hope that appointment brought clarity and peace, and that you can find comfort in knowing you are doing a great job caring for and advocating for your sweet pup.
Thank you for the page on When to put your Dog down. I’m not sure if it helped or confused me, but it did lead me to consider it soon. My big girl is 12 1/2 years old, her name is Randi and I have had her since she was 8 weeks old. She was diagnosed with cushings about three years ago and has been through every symptom. Yesterday she began a struggle to pick herself up with her back legs. She did get up a couple times and went out to potty. This morning I had to feed her in her bed. She couldn’t get up. I contacted her vet who will be there in the morning.. I’m not sure I’m at a place to euthanize her. The pain is too fresh for me. She is not in pain. I think I’m just asking for advice. Her vet will tell me more tomorrow.
Thank you,
Linda
Hi Linda,
I’m so sorry to hear that Randi was getting weaker and became unable to get up. It is so heartbreaking to watch our beloved dogs struggle and to be unsure how best to help them. I hope you were able to find some clear answers at the vet visit and that you have a sense of peace about whatever the outcome ended up being. It is clear that you love Randi greatly and that you are taking wonderful care of her. Thinking about you in this difficult time!
This is the best article to date that I’ve read. I’m struggling so much with my precious dog right now. This article is so so good even down to how Cushings impacts owners too. I can’t thank you enough for this..
Dear Jane,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your pup. Praying you will have clarity in your decision making and can navigate this unknown path. Bless you both. ♥
I am so glad you found this helpful ❤️ Sending lots of hugs your way!
Dr Dawnetta Woodruff
Exactly what I said. It addressed every area of question and concern better than I have EVER seen. The first article to confirm my feelings that our dog was feeling tormented daily feeling hungry all the time, and it was time to set him free of the mental anguish although others see him ‘eating, drinking, moving and wagging his tail so he should be ‘fine’ to keep going in their opinion’. We needed this help to put into words what we are experiencing and feeling and to alleviate the guilt of euthanizing an otherwise healthy ‘seeming’ dog.
Our bulldog was diagnosed 6 months ago , I thought the medication will help , however , she is wasting away. She’s not the same Lucy. I felt tonight the time is close to make a decision 😢
Dear Teri,
My heart goes out to you as you face this most difficult decision for your sweet girl. Wishing you comfort and strength. Bless you both.
My 16 1/2. Year old dog has advanced Cushings, he sleeps all the time and when awake he just drinks water, but he doesn’t seem to be in pain. He now wears a nappy at night as he has lost bladder control . He doesn’t want to go for a walk, he is just existing. But, I love him so much I don’t want to make the difficult decision too early.
I am sorry to hear about your sweet boy and his Cushing’s disease. What a difficult situation to be in. It is so hard to watch our senior dogs get older. It sounds like he has had a very long life at 16 1/2 years. I hope your veterinarian can help you navigate this hard time and decision. Praying you and your special boy can find peace and comfort.
Thank you so much for your article! It truly helped me to understand more about Cushing’s. And our sweet, Reggie, a 16 and a half year old Tibetan Terrier, had advanced symptoms. We had been getting up with him 2-4am most nights for him to pee, walk, drink his water, for last several weeks . . . And the night before we had him put to sleep, he whimpered and cried himself to sleep! I decided it was time!
We were selfishly holding onto him, and I couldn’t bear it any longer watching him suffer. Your article reinforced my feelings. Thank you!
Hi Debbie,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Reggie. It is obvious from your comment that you were very devoted to him and his care. Thank you so much for being there for him and sharing your story with me. I am happy that my article could bring you some peace and comfort during the difficult time.
Hi so I have a 11 year old boxer Rottie mix that was diagnosed with Cushing’s about a month ago and it seems to be getting worse hes been drinking a lot of water and chewing and licking him self and has an infection on the middle of his back and he on meds and medicated shampoo but I feel that its not helping him hes my husbands dog and we all love him so much. I feel like I wont be able to make the right decision for him I feel its time but then again I don’t feel its time. I don’t know what to do right now I feel like I’m failing him if I make the decision to put him down.
Dear Shasha,
I understand why you are conflicted about when is best to say goodbye. This is such a tough decision, and the emotions can run high. I always think it is best to let go one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great comments from other readers. I am certain you will find the advice you need to make a decision with which everyone can find peace. Praying for your strength as you navigate this hard road ahead. Bless you all.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
4. Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
my baby is 13 our vet is pretty sure she has Cushing she has a skin infection and constantly scratching and biting herself ,drinks constantly and does huge amounts of wees very restless I know I have to make a decision however I feel horrible as I just can’t afford the tests and treatments I am so scared of doing the end of life thing too soon yet I think it must be hard on her the symptoms were there for months and I feared going to the vet to hear the news I have made hard decisions in the past the this is the hardest of all she has been my closest most trusted friend I adore her
Dear Marilyn,
My heart goes out to you as you face this most difficult decision. I can understand why it is hard to know what is best. Don’t forget you can lean on your vet for support, and they can offer guidance as to when is the best time to say goodbye. I pray for your strength and comfort. Wishing you and your senior girl peace. ♥
thank you so much for this page. I had my dog put down today as he had advanced Cushings. He was 14 yrs old. Today is one of the hardest days, but the information you have provided together with my wonderful vet reassures me, I have done the right thing.
Dear Helena,
I am sorry for the loss of your senior pup. Praying for healing and comfort for your heart.