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Has your dog just been diagnosed with Addison’s disease, or do you suspect they may have it?
Addison’s disease is often referred to as the “great imitator” due to its difficulty to diagnose, which can be scary for pet parents looking for answers.
Let’s dive into Addison’s disease in dogs and talk about its symptoms, causes, and what to expect if your dog is diagnosed.
What is Addison’s Disease in Dogs?
Addison’s disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism, occurs when a dog’s adrenal glands aren’t producing enough hormones to create cortisol and aldosterone. These hormones help balance a dog’s metabolism, electrolytes, hydration levels, blood pressure, and stress levels.
As a result, the dog may develop symptoms such as:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bloody stool
- Stomach pain
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Trembling
- Hair loss
- Skin hyperpigmentation
- Low body temperature
- Low blood sugar
- Irregular heart rate or weak pulse
Often, the symptoms of Addison’s disease are non-specific and may stump veterinarians, making the disease difficult to diagnose. For a dog with chronic Addison’s disease, the symptoms may come and go.
In the long term, Addison’s disease can also impact other organs such as the kidneys or heart.
Addisonian Crisis
Addison’s disease can become deadly if a dog’s hormone levels are too low. This is called acute Addison’s disease or an Addisonian crisis. You may see the above symptoms combined with lots of vomiting and diarrhea, weakness, shock, or collapse.
While you can typically wait for an appointment with your vet to discuss Addison’s disease, it’s considered an emergency at the acute stage. Please call an emergency vet clinic immediately if you think your dog is in an Addisonian crisis.
Risk Factors of Addison’s Disease
All dogs can develop Addison’s disease, but some are at a greater risk than others. Risk factors for Addison’s disease include:
- Breed – Standard Poodles, Great Danes, and Labrador Retrievers are just a few of the more at-risk breeds
- Sex – Female dogs are at a higher risk than males
- Age – Dogs are most commonly diagnosed when they’re young to middle-aged
- Genetics
Causes
Addison’s disease is most often a genetic health problem, meaning a dog inherits it from their parents. However, other causes include:
- Infections
- Cancer
- Medications
- Damaged blood vessels
- Restricted blood flow to the adrenal glands
A dog may develop Addison’s disease if they’re taken off of steroids too quickly or if they take too much medication for Cushing’s disease (a disease which causes overproduction of adrenal hormones).
Diagnosis
Your veterinarian will likely begin by running blood work and a urinalysis to look for signs of Addison’s disease and rule out other illnesses. They may also run other tests such as x-rays, ultrasounds, or an electrocardiogram (EKG).
To confirm a diagnosis of Addison’s disease, your vet will then run a separate blood test called ACTH Stimulation. This involves injecting your dog with ACTH hormones (which tell the adrenal gland to produce cortisol) and then testing the blood to see how the adrenal gland has reacted.
Treatment
While there is no cure for Addison’s disease, it can be controlled through lifelong medications. This may include:
- Daily steroids to help the body produce cortisol and a monthly injection for aldosterone
- One oral medication to help the body produce both cortisol and aldosterone
The treatment your vet recommends will vary depending on your lifestyle, budget, and what they feel is best for you and your dog.
Treatment also includes monitoring your dog’s blood work, adjusting their medications as needed, and watching your dog for symptoms. Please follow your veterinarian’s instructions and never try to change your dog’s dosages or treatment plan on your own.
Addisonian Crisis
If your dog goes into an Addisonian crisis, they may be admitted into a veterinary hospital for observation and given IV fluids and medications. Prompt treatment is vital at this stage, so please don’t wait to see a vet!
Prognosis
A dog with Addison’s disease will never be cured, but they can live a long, normal life on medications. These dogs will need to be on medication for the rest of their lives, and if taken off of it will likely see a worsening of their disease.
See also
Prevention
While there is no sure-fire way to prevent Addison’s disease in dogs, the following can help to reduce your dog’s risk.
Reputable Breeding Practices
Because the top cause of Addison’s disease is genetics, there is little a pet parent can do to prevent it, especially post-adoption. However, avoiding backyard breeders and puppy mills is crucial, as they may breed unhealthy dogs knowingly while reputable breeders will not.
Reputable breeders also know how to recognize genetic health problems such as Addison’s, and are more likely to recognize it in a parent dog before breeding.
Some tips for finding a reputable breeder include:
- Expect a wait list: Reputable breeders find homes before their puppies are born, not after!
- Only buy from breeders who have published up-to-date genetic health testing done on both parents: Reputable breeders will also never breed dogs with known genetic health problems, including Addison’s disease.
- Ask for references: A reputable breeder will be happy to connect you with their veterinarian and former puppy buyers.
- Ask for veterinary records: Avoid breeders who don’t bring their dogs to the vet regularly, don’t vaccinate their puppies, or otherwise go against veterinary advice.
- Avoid designer breeds: (or rescue one instead!). These dogs are rarely, if ever, reputably bred. They’re more likely to develop genetic health problems as a result.
Routine Vet Visits
If your dog does develop Addison’s disease, you can catch it faster by keeping up with your dog’s routine check-ups. Young dogs should be taken to the vet for blood work annually, while senior dogs should be tested every six months.
Catching the disease in its early stages allows you and your vet to find a treatment that works before the disease becomes debilitating, and keeps you and your dog out of the emergency department. While blood work is expensive, it can often save you money in the long run and helps your dog stay as healthy as possible.
Monitoring Medications
Lastly, since mishaps with Cushing’s disease medications and steroids can lead to Addison’s disease, please monitor your dog’s medications carefully. Give only the dosage prescribed by your veterinarian and do not stop medications without speaking to your vet first.
Store medications out of reach to prevent accidental overdose. Call your primary vet, an emergency clinic, or a pet poison hotline if you think your dog has overdosed on their medication.
Final Thoughts
While a diagnosis of Addison’s disease can be intimidating, most dogs live long, happy lives on medication. It’s important to see a vet if you think your dog is sick, because only they can diagnose and treat the disease.
We hope this article has helped you to understand your dog’s diagnosis and learn more about your next steps. Remember to always follow your veterinarian’s advice, as they know your dog’s illness best and can develop a personalized treatment plan.
