Cushing’s Disease and Blood Clot Risk

As you may be aware, dogs with Cushing’s disease face an increased risk of several complications. One complication that isn’t talked about much is the risk of blood clots. Scientific studies show that the blood of those with Cushing’s disease contains high amounts of clotting factors, which make dangerous clots more likely to form. Unfortunately, these factors may persist despite treatment with Vetoryl (trilostane).

Symptoms

When clots form in a vein or artery, they can cut off blood supply to vital tissue and organs, such as the lungs or heart. The symptoms of a blood clot can vary, depending on where the clot is located. If your dog develops any of the symptoms described below, seek veterinary care immediately. Blood clots in dogs are life-threatening.

Symptoms of blood clots in the legs

• A limb that feels cold to the touch

• Blue-tinged paw pads

• Inability to use the affected limb

• Crying out when trying to use the affected limb

Symptom of blood clots in the heart

• Passing out

• Blue-tinged paw pads

• Paws or limbs that feel cold to the touch

• Difficulty breathing

• Paralysis or severe weakness in the hind limbs

Symptoms of blood clots in the brain

• Seizures

• Loss of balance or coordination

• Head tilting to one side

• Walking as though intoxicated

• Abnormal eye movements

• Weakness on one side of the body

Symptoms of blood clots in the lungs

• Difficulty breathing

• Inability to sleep or get comfortable

• Pale or blue-tinged gums or skin

• Coughing

• Collapse

• Increased respiratory rate

• Coughing up blood

Symptoms of blood clots in the gastrointestinal tract

• Vomiting

• Bloody diarrhea

• Hunched posture, indicating severe abdominal pain

• Blood in urine

How to reduce blood clot risk

To reduce the risk of blood clots, make sure your dog always has access to plenty of water and stays hydrated, as water keeps blood flowing and makes it less likely to clot. Switching to wet food or adding water to dry food can increase daily liquid intake.

Adding a fish oil supplement to your dog’s diet may also reduce the risk of forming a dangerous blood clot. Studies show that fish oil acts as a natural anti-coagulant by making blood less sticky. As always, please talk to your vet before giving your dog any supplement. Fish oil may not be safe for certain dogs and may cause lowered levels of Vitamin E.

References

Cushing’s Disease Complicated with Thrombosis in a Dog (J. Vet. Med. Sci. 70(5): 487–491, 2008).

Biochemical Basis for the Hypercoagulable State Seen in Cushing Syndrome (Arch Surg. 2001 Sep;136(9):1003-6).

Hypercoagulability and ACTH-Dependent Hyperadrenocorticism in Dogs (Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Volume 27, Issue 5, September-October 2013)