Treating Addison’s Disease in Dogs

Dog Breeds

Addison’s Disease is a serious condition in dogs that cannot be cured, but it can be treated. The condition itself interferes with the adrenal glands’ ability to produce the proper amounts of cortisol hormones in the body. Normally by the time a dog is diagnosed with Addison’s disease, emergency medical treatment is needed.

Read More >

Introduction

Addison’s disease, technically called hypoadrenocorticism, is a potentially fatal condition in dogs that cannot be cured but typically can be well managed medically. The signs of Addison’s are nonspecific and include intermittent vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and abdominal pain. When an owner notices these symptoms, she should take her dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible. If left untreated, Addison’s disease will progressively worsen and can be fatal. Normally, by the time a dog is diagnosed with Addison’s disease, at least 90% of its functional adrenal glands have been damaged or destroyed, making emergency medical treatment essential. Once the dog has been stabilized, proper assessment can be made and proper treatment protocols can begin. The goals of treating Addison’s disease are stabilization of the circulating blood levels of adrenocorticol hormones and minimization of the adverse effects of their low levels, which include shock, vomiting, weakness, pain and/or diarrhea, among others.

Treatment Options

The aggressiveness of treatment for Addison’s will depend in large part on the dog’s clinical status at the time it arrives at the hospital. Dogs suspected of being in an acute Addisonian crisis must be treated immediately on the assumption that they have hypoadrenocorticism, even before the diagnosis is confirmed. Waiting for the results of an ACTH stimulation test may be life-threatening. The goals of treatment include replacing circulating fluid volume, correcting electrolyte imbalances and providing an immediate source of corticosteroids. Treatment of severe Addison’s symptoms includes placing the dog on intravenous fluids (usually normal saline) and giving injections rather than oral doses of appropriate glucocorticoids. Dogs with Addison’s often show marked improvement within 24 hours of treatment. ACTH stimulation testing should be done only after a dog in an emergency medical crisis is stabilized.

In most cases, treatment of Addison’s disease will need to be continued for the rest of the dog’s life. After circulating fluid levels are restored and hormone levels are stabilized, and after the dog has recovered from any other adverse effects of the disease, the owner can take the dog home. Medical management will involve lifelong oral supplementation with corticosteroids, the choice of which will be made by a veterinarian based upon the nature of the dog’s Addison’s disease. Addison’s patients should have urine and blood tests performed periodically to monitor their adrenocorticol hormone and blood electrolyte levels. If elevated blood potassium levels persist, the dog may need additional therapy.

Prognosis

The prognosis for dogs with Addison’s disease is very good as long as the owner is conscientious about daily medical treatment and periodic veterinary monitoring through blood and urine testing. Excellent communication between owners and their veterinarians is critical to the success of treatment for this endocrine disorder.

Diagnosis and Tests