Cushing's disease diagnosis costs $500-$1,500, and lifelong Trilostane medication runs $50-$200 per month. Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism) means your dog's body produces too much cortisol. It causes excessive drinking and urination, a pot-bellied appearance, and hair loss. It's most common in older dogs and is often misattributed to normal aging. Treatment manages the condition but doesn't cure it.
Two main types: pituitary-dependent (85% of cases) — a benign pituitary tumor triggers excess cortisol production from the adrenal glands. Adrenal-dependent (15%) — a tumor directly on the adrenal gland overproduces cortisol. Iatrogenic Cushing's can also occur from long-term steroid medication use. Most common in dogs over 8 years old
Excessive drinking and urination (the most common complaint). Increased appetite. Pot-bellied appearance. Hair loss and thin skin. Recurrent skin and urinary infections. Panting, muscle weakness. Lethargy. Many owners initially dismiss these as normal aging signs. Symptoms develop gradually over months
Screening blood work ($100-$200) shows elevated liver enzymes and cholesterol. ACTH stimulation test ($200-$400) or low-dose dexamethasone suppression test ($200-$400) confirms excess cortisol. Abdominal ultrasound ($200-$400) evaluates adrenal gland size and checks for tumors. Multiple tests are often needed. Average $500-$1,500
Trilostane (Vetoryl) is the standard medication: $50-$200/month depending on dog size. Requires ACTH stimulation tests ($200-$400 each) at 10 days, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks after starting, then every 3-6 months. Adrenal tumor surgery: $2,000-$5,000 (risky but potentially curative for adrenal-dependent cases). Average $50-$200/month
Diagnosis, medication, and frequent monitoring. Subsequent years: $1,500-$4,000/year.
Poodles, Dachshunds, Beagles, and Boxers are most commonly affected. Senior dogs of any breed are susceptible.
Pituitary Cushing's is managed with medication lifelong. Adrenal tumors may be surgically removed if benign.
No prevention for naturally occurring Cushing's. Avoid long-term steroid use when possible to prevent iatrogenic form.
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Most policies cover Cushing's disease as a standard illness — including the complex diagnostic process, Trilostane medication, and ongoing monitoring tests. The standard 14-day illness waiting period applies. Since Cushing's is costly to diagnose and treat, insurance pays off significantly.
Cushing's develops gradually, and early signs are often dismissed as aging. If your vet noted elevated liver enzymes, excessive thirst, or skin issues before enrollment, an insurer could argue these were early Cushing's signs — making it pre-existing. Clean vet records before enrollment are essential.
At $2,000-$5,000 in the first year and $1,500-$4,000/year after, Cushing's is one of the most expensive chronic conditions. The frequent ACTH stimulation tests ($200-$400 each) alone add up fast. Insurance reliably saves thousands over the course of treatment.
Cushing's causes secondary problems — diabetes, urinary tract infections, skin infections, blood clots. Some insurers link secondary conditions to the Cushing's diagnosis. If Cushing's is excluded, related conditions may also be denied. This cascading exclusion can be financially devastating.
🇺🇸 US Pet Insurance Guide
Our guide shows exactly what to check in the fine print — before your first claim gets denied.
Insurance GuideBreeds Most Affected by Cushing's Disease
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My mother-in-law took her German boxer to the veterinary emergency room — $1,200 in tests, no answers. A different vet solved it in minutes with $8 pills.
That moment stuck with me. When you’re scared for your dog, you’ll pay anything. Some vets take advantage of that. I started digging into vet costs and pet insurance. The policies were confusing, the exclusions buried, the pricing impossible to compare. So I built the resource I wish existed. Real costs, real exclusions, plain speak. I’m not here to sell you a policy. I’m here so you don’t get blindsided.
