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Addisons Disease In Dogs
from: Kyle BesserAddisons disease in dogs, or hypoadrenocorticism, is caused by a lower than normal production of hormones, such as cortisol, by the adrenal glands. The adrenals are small glands located near the kidneys. Adrenal hormones are necessary to control salt, sugar and water balance in the body. Addisons disease occurs less frequently than the opposite condition, Cushing's disease, which is the overproduction of cortisol, in dogs.
Addisons disease occurs most commonly in young to middle-aged female dogs. The average age is about 4 years old. The signs of Addisons disease may be severe and appear suddenly, or they may occur intermittently and vary in severity. Symptoms of Addisons disease may include weakness, depression, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and occasionally increased thirst (polydipsia) and increased urine production (polyuria).
When a dog is stressed, the adrenal glands produce more cortisol, which helps deal with the stress. Dogs with Addisons disease don't make enough cortisol and they cannot deal with stress, so the signs of Addisons disease may occur or worsen when dogs are stressed. What a dog finds stressful depends upon its temperament. For many dogs, any change in their day-to-day routine, such as being boarded or having house guests, is stressful to them and may precipitate or worsen signs of Addisons disease.
An examination of a dog with Addisons disease may show depression, weakness, dehydration, weak pulse and sometimes a slow, irregular heart rate. Routine laboratory tests often show a low blood sodium and high blood potassium.
Loss of water in vomit and diarrhea can lead to dehydration. Severe dehydration increases waste products in the blood that are normally eliminated by the kidneys. Addisons disease can be confused with primary kidney disease. Some dogs with Addisons disease have low blood sugar. The urine is often dilute.
Sick dogs often show a pattern of changes in their white blood cells called a stress leukogram. This pattern of changes in the white blood cells is caused by cortisol. The absence of a stress leukogram in a sick dog may be a clue to consider Addisons disease.
Increased blood potassium can cause life-threatening abnormalities in the heart rhythm. These abnormalities can cause the heart rate to be slow and irregular and can be seen on an electrocardiogram (ECG). X-rays of dogs with Addison's disease do not show any specific abnormalities. The heart may appear smaller than normal and, though rare, the esophagus can be enlarged.
The history, physical examination, and initial laboratory tests may provide suspicion for Addisons disease, but a more specific test, an ACTH challenge, should be performed to confirm the disease. Once confirmed, a plan of treatment for Addisons disease for dog needs to be determined.
There are two stages of Addisons disease dog treatment: in-hospital Addisons disease dog treatment and the long-term Addisons disease dog treatment. For a very sick dog Addisons disease requires intravenous fluids, cortisol-like drugs and drugs to neutralize the effects of potassium on the heart.
Long-term treatment for Addisons disease for dogs involves the administration of hormones in either a daily pill or a shot that is given about every 25 days. Because dogs with Addisons disease cannot produce more cortisol in response to stress, stress should be minimized whenever possible. It may be necessary to Addisons disease dog treat to increase the amount of hormones given during periods of stress, such as boarding, surgery and travel.
With appropriate treatment for a dog with Addisons disease, a dog can live a long and happy life.
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