Addison’s disease in dogs is usually a manageable disease but can be life threatening if not controlled. It’s important to get an early diagnosis because, with treatment, affected animals can lead a normal life. Living with a dog with Addison's disease does have some challenges, but an understanding of your dog’s Addison's disease can help to make this condition a lot easier to live with.

What is Addison's Disease in Dogs

Addison’s disease, also known as “Hypoadrenocorticism” occurs when dogs fail to produce enough of the hormone, cortisol and in some cases, the hormone, aldosterone. This happens due to damage to the adrenal gland, usually because the dog’s own immune system has started to attack the adrenal gland (immune mediated disease).

Cortisol and aldosterone are produced by the adrenal glands (located by the kidneys). Cortisol’s most important job is to help the body respond to stress. In Addison’s disease the body is unable to produce enough cortisol and affected animals may become ill, particularly at times of stress.

Aldosterone helps maintain blood pressure and the water and salt balance in the body by helping the kidneys retain sodium and excrete potassium. When aldosterone production falls too low, the kidneys are not able to regulate salt and water balance, causing blood volume and blood pressure to become dangerously low.

Which Dogs Are Most at Risk?

Addison’s disease usually affects younger dogs, and females are more at risk than males. Standard Poodles and Bearded Collies are thought to be over-represented. Additional breeds thought to be more at risk of developing Addison's disease include Great Danes, Portuguese Water Dogs, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and West Highland White Terriers.

What Are the Early Symptoms of Addison's Disease in Dogs?

Symptoms of Addison’s disease in canines may be very subtle in the early stages and may wax and wane. The signs of the disease are variable and often vague. It’s really common for the early signs to be missed. Often your pet may just seem “not quite right” or may have vomiting or diarrhoea.

Other signs of Addison's in dogs may include fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss and/or an unwillingness to exercise.

What Are the More Advanced Symptoms of Addison's Disease in Dogs?

Left untreated, Addison’s disease will worsen. Progressive signs may include episodes of collapse, worsening muscle weakness, shivering, increased thirst, and increased urination. Because the signs progress slowly, it’s easy to overlook them until a stressful event, such as another illness or an accident occurs, and the dog can tip into an Addisonian crisis.

An Addisonian crisis usually begins with vomiting or diarrhoea but progresses rapidly resulting in collapse and even coma. Affected dogs will die without urgent treatment. In some dogs there are no signs at all until an Addisonian crisis develops.

How Does My Vet Diagnose Addison’s Disease?

Addison’s in dogs is difficult to recognise, as it can present like many other diseases. The more information you can give your vet, the better to help them work out what is going on. If your vet suspects Addison’s disease, then there are simple blood tests that can be done to confirm the diagnosis.

Your vet will check for electrolyte imbalances, especially sodium and potassium and will perform an ACTH stimulation test. An ACTH stimulation test involves taking a blood sample, then injecting a hormone to stimulate your dog’s adrenal glands to produce cortisol, followed by another blood test. These blood samples will need to be sent away to a veterinary laboratory for analysis.

If your dog is unable to increase the amount of cortisol in the blood after the injection, then it’s clear that the adrenal glands are not working as they should.

Addison’s Disease Treatments

Treatment of Addison’s disease involves replacing the hormones that the faulty adrenal glands are not making. Steroid tablets (prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone) are given to replace cortisol, and desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) injections or fludrocortisone tablets to replace aldosterone. The doses will be adjusted regularly, as the amounts needed varies between patients. Too much of these medications can cause a disease caused Cushing’s disease, so it is important to get the doses just right.

During an Addisonian crisis, low blood pressure, low blood sugar and high levels of potassium can be life-threatening. Your vet will give intravenous injections of hydrocortisone and a saline (salt water) drip. Once you dog has stabilized, your vet will move them to oral fluids and medications. In the long term, most dogs will just need tablets once daily for life.

If your dog has needed injectable DOCP, as they also require aldosterone supplementation, then your pet may also require additional steroid tablets. Your vet may give you a supply of steroid tablets and ask you to give them only when your pet is stressed or excited, so as to mirror the circumstances under which cortisol would be produced naturally. Your vet will explain exactly how to give the medication, but you can always call your vet for advice if you’re not sure what to do.

Routine blood tests are taken two or three times a year to ensure that treatment does not need to be altered.

Addison’s in dogs is treatable and like most conditions, early treatment is preferable, particularly as it is often younger dogs that are affected. Even if you haven’t really noticed a particular problem with your dog, you may see dramatic improvement when treatment starts. Speak to your vet about any concerns that you have, so that they can help you make the best decisions for you and your pet.

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