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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Yes, in a specific sense. In a retrospective case series from a veterinary dermatology referral practice, dogs with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC, also called Cushing’s syndrome) most often presented with itchiness (pruritus) and pyoderma (a bacterial skin infection). Skin changes can therefore be a reason to consider HAC, but they do not diagnose it on their own.
What the study found
The findings were reported by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), which published an accessible summary on October 22, 2025. The summary describes a review of medical records from a dermatology referral practice and links to the underlying paper in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (JAAHA), titled “Retrospective Case Series of Patients with Hyperadrenocorticism Presenting to a Referral Dermatology Practice.” The research question, as the paper frames it, asks whether dogs with HAC seen by veterinary dermatologists show clinical features that differ from those commonly reported by other veterinarians.
Based on the summary, two findings stood out at presentation:
- Pruritus (itchiness) was among the predominant findings.
- Pyoderma (skin infection) was also among the predominant findings.
By contrast, the classic clues were less represented in this group than in reports of HAC from other veterinary settings. Those clues are increased urination (polyuria), increased drinking (polydipsia), and elevated alkaline phosphatase on blood chemistry.
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The summary does not give a sample size, percentages, confidence intervals, or any numerical effect estimate. That means it cannot tell you how often skin signs appear in dogs with HAC overall, or how well they predict the disease. The full paper’s case counts were not reflected in the summary, so the figures in this article are limited to the qualitative pattern described.
Why skin signs may stand out in a dermatology clinic
A referral dermatology practice sees dogs whose main problem is the skin, usually after general care has not resolved it. Owners at that point are typically describing itching, recurrent infections, or coat problems rather than changes in drinking or urination. That selection effect is a plausible reason the skin pattern appears so prominently, although the summary does not test this explanation directly. It is one reason the finding should be read as a comparison between clinical settings, not as a universal description of HAC.
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How HAC usually shows up
HAC is caused by excess cortisol production. According to AAHA, it mainly affects middle-aged and senior dogs. Veterinary references commonly describe a broader set of signs that develop gradually, including:
- Drinking more water and urinating more often
- Increased panting, including at rest
- Increased appetite and a pot-bellied appearance
- Thinning hair, a dull coat, and thin skin
- Muscle weakness or reduced stamina
- Recurrent skin infections
Many dogs show only some of these signs, and the pattern can change over time. The dermatology-based study suggests that, in referral skin cases, the skin side of this picture can come first or be the most visible part.
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Why itchy skin alone does not point to HAC
Itching and skin infections are among the most common reasons dogs visit a veterinarian, and most are caused by something other than Cushing’s disease. Allergies, parasites, and bacterial or yeast overgrowth account for many cases. The study’s relevance is narrower: it suggests that when itching or pyoderma occurs in the context described below, HAC belongs on the list of possibilities that a veterinarian should consider. It does not establish a skin-based test or rule.
When to ask your veterinarian about HAC
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- Describe the whole pattern. Note how much your dog drinks and urinates, whether it pants when resting, how its appetite and belly shape have changed, and when the coat or skin problems began. Your dog’s age matters, since HAC is most often seen in middle-aged and older dogs.
- Ask whether HAC testing is appropriate. Veterinarians commonly use a urine cortisol-to-creatinine ratio, a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, or an ACTH stimulation test. Each has strengths and limitations, and results are interpreted in light of the dog’s overall health and any medications it takes. The choice of test belongs to your veterinarian.
- Treat the skin problem as directed. Infections and itching should be assessed and managed by your veterinarian. Shampoos, supplements, and home remedies are not supported by this study as tests or treatments for HAC.
What the evidence does and does not establish
| Question | Status based on AAHA’s summary of the study |
|---|---|
| Are pruritus and pyoderma commonly seen at presentation in dermatology referral cases of HAC? | Yes, reported as predominant findings |
| Are polyuria, polydipsia, and elevated alkaline phosphatase less represented in those cases? | Yes, reported as less represented than in other veterinary settings; no percentages given |
| How many dogs were studied? | Not stated in the summary |
| How often do skin signs occur in all dogs with HAC? | Not established |
| Can skin signs alone diagnose HAC? | Not established; the study does not support this |
The study is a retrospective review from one referral setting. It cannot show cause and effect, and its results may not apply to every dog with HAC or to dogs seen in general practice. For owners, the practical message is that persistent itching or recurrent skin infection in an older dog is a reason to ask your veterinarian a fuller set of questions, and that a diagnosis requires veterinary testing rather than a judgment based on the skin alone.
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