Cushing's Disease: Also known as hyperadrenocorticism, Cushing's disease is the overproduction of naturally produced steroid hormones by the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland is overactive secondary to a small, and otherwise inconsequential, growth in the pituitary gland, or less commonly, due to an actual adrenal gland cancer. General symptoms are excessive thirst and urine volume, ravenous appetite, skin changes, hair loss, and often a pot-bellied appearance. Diagnosis is conducted through blood tests and ultrasound. Cushing's disease usually occurs in older dogs and very rarely in cats, and will progress if left untreated. It can be successfully controlled with oral medication. However, when the disease is brought on by a primary adrenal gland cancer, the prognosis is not as positive.