A woman from New Zealand was sentenced to two months in prison after her dog, who weighed 53 kilograms (118 pounds) and was severely obese, died, as per a report in Newsweek. According to a statement from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), the dog, named Nuggi, was found by police in 2021 weighing about 54 kilograms (120 pounds) and nearly immobile.

Nuggi was taken from his owner’s Auckland house, where police discovered “a number of” dogs, and given over to the SPCA.

Nuggi died of a liver haemorrhage even though it lost 8.8 kilograms (19.6 pounds) or around 16.5 per cent of his body weight in two months while in the care of the SPCA. The organisation claims that an autopsy disclosed additional health issues, including Cushing’s illness and liver problems.

According to the statement, the owner pleaded guilty to failing to provide for the dog’s medical, behavioural, and physical needs. As a result, the Manukau District Court in Auckland sentenced the owner to two months in jail and a fine of $1,222 NZD ($720). It is also said that she will not be allowed to own dogs for a year.

Veterinarians using a stethoscope were unable to detect Nuggi’s heartbeat because of his extreme weight, according to the SPCA statement. The dog also had a lot of skin growths, especially on contact regions like his elbows and tummy, and his claws were enlarged. Further, Nuggi had conjunctivitis as well.

Todd Westwood, SPCA Chief said that the dog was “drastically overfed” and “clearly” did not have proper care. “Nuggi was one of the most obese animals we’ve ever come across,” Mr Westwood said in a statement.

“Sadly, we see animals on a daily basis that are underweight, starved or malnourished, but it’s equally heartbreaking to see a helpless animal that’s been severely overfed,” he continued.

The SPCA added that the pet dog was fed around 10 pieces of chicken every day along with dry food. Nuggi allegedly struggled to travel around 10 meters to the car when veterinarians took him away from his owner, pausing three times to gather breath. The SPCA said, “His legs could not support his huge body.”

“Part of being a responsible dog owner is providing your pet with an appropriate diet and daily exercise, which was clearly not the case here. Nuggi was being drastically overfed, and instead of seeking help or amending the behaviour, his owner continued to overfeed him until he could barely walk. This is unacceptable,” Mr Westwood added.

American actor and director Amy Schumer recently revealed she has Cushing’s Syndrome, a rare hormonal disorder caused by having steroid injections in high doses. Ms Schumer disclosed the diagnosis after being swarmed by comments about her face, with fans saying it looked “puffier” during recent TV interviews. “I have the kind of Cushing that will just work itself out, and I’m healthy [which] was the greatest news imaginable,” she said in an exclusive statement to the News Not Noise newsletter.

What is Cushing’s Syndrome? 

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Cushing’s syndrome, also known as hypercortisolism, is a “fairly rare” hormonal disorder. It occurs when a person has elevated levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, inside the body for a long time, or it can be triggered by steroid medications. It mostly affects adults who are 20 to 50 years old. The syndrome impacts roughly three times as many women as men, though it can also occur in children.

What causes Cushing’s Syndrome?

Cushing’s syndrome happens when you have too many corticosteroids in your body. When the disorder often starts with the pituitary gland, the condition is called Cushing’s syndrome. The gland makes too much adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH). That causes the adrenal glands to make too many corticosteroids.

According to the Washington Post, Ms Schumer attributed her illness to receiving steroid injections in high doses. It is not clear why she was taking steroids, but she has previously discussed having a range of health conditions, including endometriosis. 

Symptoms of Cushing’s Syndrome

Symptoms of the disorder vary from person to person, but according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the most common signs and symptoms are severe tiredness, muscle weakness, round face, upper body obesity, high blood pressure, fragile skin that is slow to heal, increased fat around the neck and high blood sugar. 

According to Mayo Clinic, if left untreated, Cushing’s Syndrome can be fatal. It can also cause complications including, bone loss, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, serious or multiple infections and loss of muscle mass and strength. 

How is Cushing’s Syndrome treated? 

Treatment for Cushing’s Syndrome depends on what is causing the disorder. If the condition arises from the use of corticosteroid medications, doctors may gradually taper the dosage or explore alternative treatments. In cases where tumours are responsible, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove the growths. Radiation therapy and medications may also be employed to control cortisol levels and alleviate symptoms.