Minimally invasive techniques were historically used for diagnosis only. But technology advances have allowed us to improve the treatment of spine disorders using the same techniques for surgery, says Nimesh H. Patel, MD, a neurosurgeon at the Methodist Moody Brain and Spine Institute in Dallas.
Cushings Disease in Dogs. Cushings disease in dogs is the third most common disease and the most common hormone related condition in dogs. It is the result of excess Cortisol in the animalâs body. Cortisol, or hydrocortisone as it is known scientifically, is a steroid hormone that the body uses to deal with stress.
In Cushing's disease this effect does not occur. Once the disease is diagnosed, it is possible to differentiate between the adrenal tumors and pituitary gland tumors using a second test, a high dose dexamethasone suppression test. Most dogs with pituitary tumors will have cortisol suppression on this test.