Dermatological disorders in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism – a retrospective study

Abstract

Skin disorders are among the major clinical changes due to chronic hypercortisolism, which results from hyperadrenocorticism of Cushing’s syndrome. The aim of our study was to identify the most common skin disorders in 22 dogs (15 females and six males, mean age = 10 years) that were referred to a Veterinary School Hospital in São Paulo, SP, within a 24-month period, presenting pituitary-dependent or adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. Cutaneous injuries were identified in 72.72% of cases. The most frequent changes were related to the presence of meliceric crusting, hair loss, erythema, comedo, epidermal collarette, hyperpigmentation, scales, pustules and papules. The dermatological diseases related with hypercortisolism were pyodermitis, demodicosis and calcinosis cutis.