What is Addison’s Disease?
Addison’s disease, or hypoadrenocorticism, occurs when the adrenal glands don’t produce enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone. The glands, which are near the kidneys, are responsible for many vital bodily functions that help regulate stress level, weight, blood sugar, the immune system, and more. In particular, cortisol is responsible for your dog’s stress response, and aldosterone is responsible for maintaining hydration and electrolytes in your dog’s body. Luckily, with proper treatment, dogs with Addison’s disease can lead relatively normal lives.
What Causes Addison’s Disease?
There are two types of Addison’s disease: primary and secondary. Primary, the most common form, occurs when the immune system attacks the adrenal gland. It’s unknown why this occurs on its own, although there may be a genetic component; certain breeds seem prone to it, including standard poodles, Great Danes, West Highland white terriers, bearded collies, Portuguese Water Dogs, Novia Scotia duck tolling retrievers, and soft coated Wheaten terriers. Environmental causes including some medicines, cancer, and other diseases can also be the culprit. Drugs used to treat Cushing’s Disease can also cause Addison’s, since they’re designed to target the adrenal gland, and too much of it can get destroyed in the process.
Secondary Addison’s disease affects the pituitary gland, the hormone regulator in the brain. Like Cushing’s Disease, which is characterized by the overproduction of adrenal gland hormones, the irregularities can be caused by tumors, the long-term use steroidal medications, or the sudden withdrawal of certain meds, like prednisone.
What Are The Symptoms Of Addison’s Disease?
- Lethargy
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Depression
- Dehydration
- Excessive thirst
- Increased urination
- Shaking
- Decreased or irregular heart rate
- Diarrhea
- Low body temperature
- Pain in the abdomen
- Collapse
How Is Addison’s Disease Diagnosed?
In order to diagnose Addison’s disease, veterinarians must rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms. They’ll most likely run blood and urine tests, and start by ruling out blood and thyroid disorders, as well as checking kidney, liver, and pancreatic function.
The veterinarian will also check blood samples for anemia and high potassium and urea levels, as well as changes in sodium, chloride, and calcium — all indicative of Addison’s disease. The final diagnosis comes after the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test, which measures cortisol before and after the dog is injected with the synthetic ACTH. This demonstrates if the adrenal glands are properly responding to it.
How Is Addison’s Disease Treated?
There is no cure for Addison’s Disease, but symptoms can be managed for a positive prognosis. Dogs with the condition will need to be on replacement hormones for their entire lives, and will have to be closely monitored by their veterinarian to make sure they’re receiving the proper dosage. This may take a little trial and error at first — as well as multiple veterinarian visits — and certain stressful situations, such as moving or medical procedures, may require an adjusting. However, once the patient is maintaining normal hormone levels, he or she should be able to live a relatively normal, healthy, and happy life.
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Sources:
https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/addisons-disease-dogs