What Is Addison S Disease In Dogs

This leads to a deficiency in key hormones cortisol and aldosterone which regulate responses to stress and water electrolyte balance.

What is addison s disease in dogs. The two most important hormones are cortisol and aldosterone. With proper treatment and an understanding of how to manage the disease addison s disease in dogs has a good prognosis. It can also appear in any breed of dog but some breeds. Addison s disease in the dog is primarily caused by an immune mediated destruction of adrenal tissue.

This disease is relatively rare in dogs but when it does occur it tends to be seen most often in young to middle aged dogs female dogs and may be familial in bearded collies standard poodles portuguese water dogs west highland white terriers rottweilers and wheaten terriers. In dogs with addison s disease it is common for blood work to show a high potassium level and a low sodium level. With the appropriate care the majority of addison s dogs won t have any disease related problems that could lead to their lifespan being shortened. Less commonly the adrenal glands may be damaged by trauma or infection.

This is an electrolyte imbalance. While your dog with addison s disease will need medications and monitoring for the rest of his life most dogs with addison s can return to their favorite activities. Cortisol is vitally important for healthy responses to stress and it s also important in regulating many body functions. Symptoms include lethargy dehydration cool to touch shaking slow heart rate.

Here s the good news. Addison s disease hypoadrenocorticism is a hormonal disorder that is caused by a deficient production of the adrenal gland hormones cortisol and aldosterone. Addison s disease most commonly affects young or middle aged female dogs though dogs of any sex and age develop the condition as well. Addison s disease also referred to as primary hypoadrenocorticism is an immune mediated disease in dogs and humans in which the body attacks the outer layer of the adrenal glands which are small organs near the kidneys.

Symptoms of addison s. You will learn to read your dog understand what his stress triggers are and follow your instincts in his care. Managing addison s disease in dogs. Addison s disease can also occur following treatment of cushing s disease hyperadrenocorticism in which too much cortisol and aldosterone are produced.

Kidney values may also be affected.