Of all the varied diseases and conditions that can strike a dog down in its later years, Cushing's disease is one of the most feared by dog owners. This dysfunction of the dog's endocrine glands may be barely noticeable at first, but without proper treatment a dog suffering from this chronic illness can decline alarmingly quickly.  However, Cushing's disease is by no means a death sentence for your pup. Veterinarians can now offer a range of treatments to help your dog stay in good health for many years after a Cushing's disease diagnosis, and veterinary surgeons can even attempt to cure the disease in more pronounced cases.