Radiation therapy helps dog with Cushing disease

The University of California-Davis (UC Davis) recently shared the case of a 13-year-old male Dachshund who was diagnosed with Cushing disease 2 years ago and recently began having trouble walking. After discovering a tumor on the patient’s pituary gland, the patient, Kidogo, underwent multiple rounds of radiation therapy at the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH).

UC Davis said Kidogo’s early symptoms of Cushing disease were mild, but his condition progressively worsened. After he began struggling to walk, Kidogo received magnetic resonance imaging that showed a tumor on his pituary gland. Thereafter, Kidogo was referred to the VMTH’s Radiation Oncology Service for a consultation to help manage the disease more effectively.

According to Kidogo’s owner, Jason Balatti, Kidogo had previously received care at UC Davis for help with his Cushing diagnosis, and his owners did not hesitate to bring him back after he was referred. “[We] have always considered them the best in veterinary care,” Balatti said in a UC Davis report.¹ “So, when we learned he needed advanced treatment, there was no question—UC Davis was our first and only choice.”

The team at the VMTH performed a computed tomography (CT) scan on Kidogo, which confirmed the pituary mass. The mass was stable in size, UC Davis said, but the oncology team still advised radiation therapy. This treatment would help shrink Kidogo’s functional pituitary macroadenoma—a large, benign tumor that secretes hormones. Functional pituitary macroadenomas most commonly release the adrenocorticotrophic hormone, which consequently causes the adrenal glands to release of cortisol, leading to Cushing disease.²

Related: A general practitioner’s guide to Cushing syndrome

Symptoms of a functional pituitary macroadenoma that causes Cushing disease consist of increased appetite, increased thirst and urination, alopecia, dry skin, blackheads, a pendulous belly, and a weakened immune system.² These patients may also exhibit neurological signs, such as Kidogo’s difficulty with walking.¹

According to UC Davis, Kidogo received 20 rounds of radiation treatments over a monthlong period on VMTH’s linear accelerator. By propelling subatomic particles at high speed, the machine creates a focused beam of high-energy radiation that can be used to shrink tumors.³

To help cover the cost of Kidogo’s treatment, Balatti and his family received a grant from the Petco Love Foundation in partnership with the Blue Buffalo Foundation, after qualifying for financial assistance.

Kidogo’s latest recheck examination yielded positive news. “At his most recent recheck examination, Kidogo’s care team was pleased with how well he has been doing since completing radiation therapy,” UC Davis wrote, sharing that the care team said Kidogo “looked great during his physical and neurological exams.” Still, VMTH plans to continue monitoring Kidogo in the months ahead.

References

1. Warren R. Grant helps provide radiation to shrink tumor in dog with Cushing’s disease. University of California-Davis. November 24, 2025. Accessed December 8, 2025. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/grant-helps-provide-radiation-shrink-tumor-dog-cushings-disease
2. Williams K, Barnette C. Pituitary macroadenoma in dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals. Accessed December 8, 2025. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/pituitary-macroadenoma-in-dogs
3. Linear accelerator. National Cancer Institute. Accessed December 8, 2025. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/linear-accelerator