Addison's Disease in Dogs
What do a surprising number of dogs have in common with President John F. Kennedy? Charisma and good hair are both answers that fit the question but they are not the one we are looking for. There is one more correct answer, Addison's Disease.
Addison's disease is when the adrenal glands stop doing their job of secreting hormones. The reduction in the production of aldosterone and cortisol can cause a wide range of symptoms. Your dog may seem depressed and lose body condition. There may be bouts of unexplained vomiting and diarrhea. You could also see increased water consumption and urination. Hair loss and a loss of appetite can also occur. These symptoms can come and go.
Addison's disease is usually diagnosed during an acute Addisonian crisis. During an Addisonian crisis the body systems are functioning so poorly due to the lack of needed hormones that the dog may collapse and go into shock. Electrolyte levels can become so high that cardiac arrest is a real possibility.
An Addisonian crisis is a veterinary emergency. Hospitalization and observation are necessary to treat the symptoms as they occur. Once the situation is stabilized, hormone replacement therapy will be initiated to help your dog deal with the deficiency.
Once on hormones monitoring is necessary to make sure appropriate hormone levels are maintained. Addison's is not curable and your dog will be on hormones for the rest of his life.
The good news is that well managed Addisonian dogs can expect a normal lifespan. Once Addison's is diagnosed and treated many owners are delighted to find how much better and happier their dogs feel with treatment.
Nobody knows the cause of Addison's disease but there are several breeds that seem to have the problem more than others. We can talk to you about these breeds.
Adrenal gland related problems can be complicated to understand. The flip side of Addison's disease is a condition referred to as Cushing's Syndrome. This is when the body produces too much of the hormone cortisol. Too much or too little cortisol can create a host of unpleasant symptoms. The management of Cushing's is tricky if you encourage the body to slow cortisol production it can create Addisonian issues.
If you dog is displaying vague symptoms of depression and stomach upset and periodically feeling unwell, please schedule a visit with us. Catching Addison's disease early and regulating it can prevent a life threatening crisis.