Hair loss can be common in dogs with Cushing’s and you may find that your dog is losing their fur along both sides of their body, over their belly and/or along their tail.
For some dogs this hair loss can be extreme, leaving them only with fur over their head and feet. Yet for other dogs it may more subtle – with signs such as having a dull coat, hair not growing back after being clipped or blackhead formation in the armpits or groin.
In healthy dogs, the hair is grown and shed in a constant cycle. In dogs with Cushing’s this cycle slows down, or stops completely, meaning hair that falls out fails to regrow.
Skin can also become thinner as a result of excessive cortisol and when this is combined with a reduction in the function of the immune system (as mentioned in the section on urinary tract infection) then recurrent skin infections can also become a problem.