Shadowfax and Cushing's Disease

Shadowfax has been diagnosed with Cushing's Disease. We thought her tummy was getting a little larger over the past year or so, but it turns out this is a symptom of the disease. Dogs with Cushing's can often have a "look", a midsection that looks slightly bloated. What we thought was her large torso build and a few too many treats was in fact something else.

This is somewhat of a relief as it explains a lot of her recently developed tendencies; she's been drinking and urinating a lot more, seems to have an insatiable appetite (to the point of eating dirt and mulch in the back yard), and is generally a bit restless, unable to get comfortable. 

We are still in the process of learning more about the disease and are easing her into some new medication, but the prognosis is very positive. There is a chance of some side effects from the medication, but this should be a condition that we are able to manage for the remainder of her years.