Introduction
Treating Addison’s disease in cats is dependent on why the condition has occurred. Several diagnostic tests may be needed in order find out the cause of the condition and what type of treatment is needed.
Treating Addison's Disease in Cats
Once a cat has been diagnosed with Addison’s disease through specific blood tests, additional tests are needed to identify the cause. Ultrasounds or x-rays are normally used to try to locate any tumors on the adrenal or pituitary gland, and additional blood tests may be ordered to determine if any organs in the body have been damaged from the disease.
A tumor on the adrenal gland is one cause of Addison’s disease, and sadly these types of tumors usually are cancerous. Treatment for this type of Addison’s involves surgically removing the tumor and possibly following up with chemotherapy or radiation treatments; once the tumor has been removed the adrenal gland usually begins to function normally again. In the case where the cause of primary Addison’s is unknown, thyroid medications are prescribed to replace the reduction in hormones.
Two forms of Addison’s disease may be successfully treated with lifelong thyroid medications: primary Addison’s disease that is caused by the cat’s immune system attack on adrenal tissue, and secondary Addison’s disease that is due to noncancerous tumors on the pituitary gland.
If the Addison’s disease has occurred due to an abrupt withdrawal from cortisone medications, then the cat should immediately be placed back on the medications and slowly begin the withdrawal process under the supervision of a veterinarian.