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Hypoadrenocorticism, more commonly known as Addison’s disease, is a disease has serious consequences for dogs. Fortunately, with proper treatment, dogs diagnosed with Addison’s disease are expected to have normal lifespans. Addison’s disease occurs when the adrenal glands fail to produce the hormones that they are in charge of in the body.
The most important hormones that are produced by the adrenal glands are steroids, particularly aldosterone and cortisol. These steroids play a large role in regulating your dog’s internal organs and body systems. Without them, your dog’s body deteriorates, leading to serious complications and even death.
Causes of Addison’s Disease in Dogs
In many cases, the cause of Addison’s disease in dogs is unknown. Veterinarians suspect that most of these cases result from an autoimmune process that can result in adrenal tissue being destroyed. Addison’s disease can also be caused by other things: destruction of the adrenal gland, by a metastatic tumor, hemorrhage, infarction (when tissue dies, usually as a result of restricted blood flow to the area where that tissue resides), granulomatous disease, adrenolytic agents (which stop adrenal glands from producing hormones) like the drug mitotane, or a drug like trilostane that inhibits adrenal enzymes.
When something interferes with the adrenal gland, the body is no longer able to produce glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, specifically aldosterone and cortisol. This leads to a wide range of symptoms and in acute cases of Addison’s disease can cause death.
Scientists don’t yet know exactly what causes Addison’s disease, but any dog, regardless of age or gender, whether they are purebred or a mixed-breed dog, can develop this disease. It is most common in female and young to middle-aged dogs. There are, however, some breeds that appear to be predisposed to the disease:
- Standard Poodles
- West Highland White Terriers
- Great Danes
- Bearded Collies
- Portuguese Water Dogs
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers
Symptoms of Addison’s Disease in Dogs
Progressive Addison’s disease is hard to diagnose, thanks in part to the wide range of symptoms associated with the disease. It has been called the great imitator. In general, dogs with Addison’s may experience recurrent bouts of gastroenteritis, poor appetite, slow loss of body condition, and an inability to respond appropriately to stress. It’s important to note that the symptoms of Addison’s disease may wax and wane.
Reduction in aldosterone production has a pronounced impact on the body. It leads to changes in serum levels of sodium, chloride, and potassium, which affects the kidneys. This leads to problems with the heart and circulatory system.
Cortisol, the other major steroid hormone affected by Addison’s, plays a role in almost every important tissue in the dog’s body. It regulates the production of glucose, regulates metabolism, influences the breakdown of fat and proteins, regulates blood pressure, suppresses inflammation, stimulates the formation of red blood cells, and counteracts stress.
Reduction in the production of aldosterone and cortisol causes the symptoms most commonly seen by pet owners and veterinarians.
Symptoms of Addison’s disease include:
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Anorexia or lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bloody stool
- Alopecia (hair loss)
- Increased urination
- Increased thirst
- Dehydration
- Shaking
- Weak pulse
- Irregular heart rate
- Low temperature
- Painful abdomen
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Hyperpigmentation of the skin
Diagnosing Addison’s Disease in Dogs
Addison’s disease is usually diagnosed during an Addisonian crisis. In an Addisonian crisis, the disease reaches an acute stage, and dogs experience life-threatening symptoms such as shock and collapse.
Once the dog is stabilized from the crisis, veterinarians perform a series of tests to determine what caused the collapse and to rule out other diagnoses. They will perform blood work to get a complete blood count and biochemistry and will also most likely run a urinalysis.
Anemia and abnormally high levels of potassium and urea in the blood, along with changes in the levels of sodium, chloride, and calcium in the blood, are symptomatic of Addison’s. The urinalysis may also reveal low concentrations of urine, and your veterinarian might run an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check for changes in your dog’s heart.
The definitive test for Addison’s is the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. This test monitors the function of the adrenal glands by introducing the synthetic hormone ACTH. Veterinarians measure the concentration of cortisol before and after ACTH is administered. This lets them know if the adrenal glands are functioning normally.
Treating Addison’s Disease in Dogs
The first thing veterinarians do to treat Addison’s disease in dogs is to resolve the crisis. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists an adrenal crisis as an acute medical emergency. Your dog will be hospitalized and will undergo intensive therapy to manage the symptoms of the crisis.
Once your dog is out of immediate danger, your veterinarian will prescribe a replacement hormone medication to help your dog deal with the deficiency. There’s usually more than one medication prescribed—an injectable mineralocorticoid (usually desoxycorticosterone pivalate, or DOCP) monthly and a daily steroid like prednisone. Also, a veterinarian will usually recommend annual or biannual blood work to ensure the medication is working properly.
Addison’s disease is not curable. Your dog will need to take these replacement hormones for the rest of their life, and the dosage may need to be adjusted as time goes by, especially during times of stress. It is very important that owners do not try to adjust the medication or change brands without consulting with their veterinarian, as this could lead to another hormonal imbalance.
It takes time to find the right dosage for your dog’s Addison’s disease. Be prepared to visit the veterinarian frequently for the first month after diagnosis so that your veterinarian can measure your dog’s hormones and electrolyte levels. This helps your veterinarian find the right dosage for your dog. After that, expect to bring your dog in once a month for a shot of replacement hormones, and make sure you follow any additional medication protocols that your veterinarian may prescribe.
Preventing Addison’s Disease in Dogs
Addison disease is not usually preventable. The exception to this is a medication-induced Addisonian crisis. If your dog is on the Cushing’s disease medications mitotane or trilostane, make sure that you are aware of the symptoms of Addison’s disease in dogs, as an accidental overdose could lead to a crisis. Keep these medications out of reach of your dog at all times, and make sure you monitor your dog’s medications carefully.
Sometimes a rapid withdrawal of a drug like prednisone can cause Addison’s. Following your veterinarian’s instructions about your dog’s medication is the best way to prevent serious complications like Addison’s disease.
For more information about Addison’s disease in dogs, talk to your veterinarian. If you suspect that your dog might have Addison’s or be experiencing an Addisonian crisis, call your veterinarian immediately.