My dog has Addison’s Disease. anyone know about this?
Happy Girl
4 year old, female, chow/labrador mix …
She was keeping to herself (which is unusual), growling when we would try and touch her, seeming completely out of it. She went to lay behind a bush and would not come out, it was hard to get her to come inside. We took her to the vet, he tried to figure it out, and has come up with Addison’s Disease. He has put her on Prednisone for the rest of her life. We have had an emotional week …
Anyone have any ideas on this rare disease?
Addison’s disease (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism) is a rare endocrine disorder in which the body produces insufficient amounts of adrenal steroid hormones (glucocorticoids and often mineralocorticoids). The condition was first described by British physician Thomas Addison in his 1855 publication, On the Constitutional and Local Effects of Disease of the Suprarenal Capsules. Those who have Addison’s are often referred to in research and informational articles as “Addisonians”.
In primary adrenal insufficiency (classic Addison’s disease) the hormone aldosterone is also deficient. Many of the symptoms of Addison’s disease arise due to the hyposecretion of aldosterone leading to hyperkalemia (high blood potassium levels) and metabolic acidosis (increased acidity of the blood due to decreased bicarbonate levels). Often the production of adrenaline is also diminished.
Treatment is with replacement of the hormones (oral hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone). If the disease is caused by an underlying problem, this is addressed. Regular follow-up and monitoring for other health problems is necessary.
I never heard of this so I went on line to see what it was I ran across this you might be interested in reading maybe it will give you an idea on what this is.
I really thought that was some interesting reading.
Most dogs with Addison’s disease initially have gastrointestinal disturbances like vomiting. Lethargy it also a common early sign. Poor appetite can occur as well. These are pretty vague signs and it is extremely easy to miss this disease. More severe signs occur when a dog with hypoadrenocorticism is stressed or when potassium levels get high enough to interfere with heart function. Dogs with this problem will sometimes suffer severe shock symptoms when stressed, which can lead to a rapid death.
Treatment for this disease is usually done by oral administration of fludrocortisone acetate (Flurinaf), salting the food, and administration of corticosteroids like prednisone. In a crisis situation this disorder must be treated more aggressively with intravenous fluids, IV glucocorticoids and correction of acid/base balances.
You have to pay close attention to a dog with this problem. Don’t ignore any changes in appetite, GI disturbances or anything else that makes you think your dog is ill. If you work with your vet and are careful about following his or her directions this disease has a good prognosis when it is discovered before a crisis occurs
Here is a fantastic website that I used when writing assignments for VET TECH