Like humans, pets are susceptible to Addisonโs disease. Hypoadrenocorticism,
the medical term for Addisonโs disease, occurs when the
production of cortisol is hindered by a disruption to the
adrenal or pituitary glands. Without cortisol and other
important hormones, your pet will not be able to manage stress,
and can also undergo an electrolyte imbalance that is not
sustainable.
The Importance of Cortisol
The adrenal glands are located by your petโs kidneys. These
glands are responsible for producing hormones and steroids that
are crucial to organ function and other actions within the
body. Cortisol is an important hormone that is produced by the
adrenal glands. It is responsible for managing stress, as well
as your petโs โfight or flightโ response. Additionally,
cortisol aids in maintaining blood pressure, promoting
cardiovascular function, regulating metabolism and glucose
levels, and stimulating appetite. Addisonโs disease causes the
adrenal glands to stop producing enough cortisol to keep your
dog healthy.
Causes of Addisonโs Disease
There are several reasons the adrenal glands stop producing
cortisol. Injury to the outer tissues of the adrenal glands
caused by immune reactions is the most common one. Damage to
the glands can be caused by infection or inflammation,
medication reaction, tumors, or cancer. If damage to the
adrenal glands is the cause of Addisonโs disease, symptoms may
not occur until up to 90 percent of the adrenal cortex has been
destroyed.
If there are issues with the pituitary gland, the gland in the
brain responsible for signalling the production of cortisol,
Addisonโs disease may also result. And lastly, withdrawal from
steroid treatments such as
prednisone can trigger Addisonโs disease, especially if the
steroids are stopped abruptly. In these cases, pets are at risk
of Addisonian Crisis, or shock due to circulatory collapse.
Whatever the cause, symptoms of
Addisonโs disease should be carefully monitored. If you notice
signs of this illness, check in with your vet to see if
Addisonโs disease could be the cause.
Symptoms of Addison's Disease in Dogs
Addisonโs disease is
traditionally associated with humans, but initial diagnoses in
the 1950s proved that it also affects dogs. The symptoms of this disorder are
similar to those of other pet diseases, causing vets to
frequently misdiagnose the underlying issue - a chronic lack of
cortisol. With proper treatment, pets with Addisonโs disease
can lead normal lives. If left untreated, however, this disease will
lead to death, so it is important to factor in chronic cortisol
deficiency as a culprit when the following symptoms
occur.
Symptoms of Addisonโs Disease
Symptoms of Addisonโs disease in dogs may not show up
consistently. Many pets will display mild symptoms that seem to
resolve, and then repeat again down the road.
Though the signs of Addisonโs disease will vary from dog to
dog, they include:
Weakness: Dogs
with Addisonโs disease will have less energy, and may have
bouts of lethargy and listlessness. Dogs may appear to have
muscle weakness, shakiness, or wobble when they walk.
Gastrointestinal
Symptoms: Diarrhea and vomiting is a common symptom
of Addisonโs disease. Also look out for dark, tarry stools
caused by gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and blood in vomit.
Changes in Eating and
Drinking Habits: Dogs with Addisonโs disease tend
to increase their water intake in a noticeable way, and will
urinate more frequently. They may also experience appetite and
weight loss.
Signs of muscle and joint pain, nervousness, and depression are
also common in dogs with Addisonโs disease. When a dog is
under duress, the body produces cortisol, so without a normal
level of this hormone, clinical signs can worsen.
Addisonian Crisis
Though dogs with Addisonโs disease can seem otherwise healthy,
they may go into sudden shock due to circulatory collapse. This
is known as Addisonian crisis, and can be one of the first
signs to a pet owner that Addisonโs disease is present.
Addisonian crisis is an endocrine emergency that occurs when
sodium levels and body fluids are depleted. If Addisonian
Crisis occurs, pets must be taken to a veterinary hospital
immediately.
Common Misdiagnosis of Addisonโs Disease
The symptoms of Addisonโs disease are commonly associated with
other illnesses, which has earned it the nicknames โthe great
imitatorโ and โthe great pretender.โ Vets misdiagnose Addisonโs
disease with conditions such as kidney failure, liver disease, gastrointestinal diseases like
inflammatory bowel disease, urinary blockage, and pancreatitis due to their similar
symptoms. Even an Addisonian crisis can be misdiagnosed as
acute renal failure.
Many vets consider Addisonโs disease an uncommon disorder among
dogs, though misdiagnosis of its symptoms could mean it is
simply underreported. Vets who routinely test for Addisonโs
disease find more frequent occurrences than what is thought to
be the norm. Check with your vet about testing if you notice
any of these symptoms associated with Addisonโs disease.
This information is for informational
purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the
professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your
veterinarian. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or
other qualified professional with any questions you may have
regarding a medical condition. Never disregard or delay seeking
professional advice due to what you may have read on our
website.
