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Addison's disease in dogs

Addison's disease is the opposite of Cushing's syndrome: the adrenal glands, located near the kidneys, no longer produce enough hormones. These hormones regulate the body's stress response and salt and water balance. When they are lacking,...

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Definition Signs Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Complications When to see a vet Prognosis FAQ Sources Affected species

What is it?

Addison's disease is the opposite of Cushing's syndrome: the adrenal glands, located near the kidneys, no longer produce enough hormones.

These hormones regulate the body's stress response and salt and water balance. When they are lacking, the dog has trouble coping with the slightest effort, the slightest annoyance, and his body becomes dehydrated.

It is sometimes called "the great imitator": its signs resemble those of many other diseases and come and go, often delaying diagnosis.

Key point

Addisonian crisis is a life-threatening emergency: a dog that collapses, lies down and appears cold should be taken immediately to a veterinarian, day or night.

Commonly observed signs

These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.

Related signs — each one links to its page:

Reduction Loss of appetite Vomiting Diarrhea Weight loss Fatigue Dehydration Tremors Drinks a lot Urine a lot Lying animal that does not get up

Episodes of depression, weakness and loss of appetite which appear then improve on their own, often after a stressful event: boarding, moving, travel, heat.

Intermittent vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes with blood.

Progressive weight loss, dull coat.

Tremors, refusal to move, dog lying down.

Thirst and increased urine in some dogs.

Stomach pain.

In the acute attack: sudden collapse, cold animal, very dehydrated, unable to get up, with a weak pulse and an abnormally slow heart rate. This is an immediate life-threatening emergency.

When to consult without delay

This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.

Causes and risk factors

Most often, the dog's immune system gradually destroys the tissue of both adrenal glands.

More rarely, the destruction is due to another disease, a tumor or damage to the pituitary gland, the gland in the brain which controls the adrenals.

A form can also occur after the abrupt cessation of prolonged cortisone treatment, or after poorly controlled treatment of Cushing's syndrome: the adrenals, put to rest, do not restart quickly enough.

Young to adult age: diagnosis is often made between two and six years of age.

Females more often affected than males.

Predisposition reported in the standard poodle, the Bernese mountain dog, the west highland white terrier, the Dane, the rottweiler, the Portuguese water and the bearded collie, which suggests a hereditary part.

Abrupt cessation of prolonged cortisone treatment.

Diagnosis and care

Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.

The veterinarian thinks of this disease in front of a dog that presents digestive disorders and fatigue in episodes, especially if they return after stressful situations.

A basic blood test is performed: it often shows a characteristic imbalance of blood salts, with high potassium and low sodium, apparent kidney failure and sometimes anemia. However, some forms do not show any of these imbalances.

The diagnosis is confirmed by a specific hormonal test, which measures the ability of the adrenals to respond to stimulation. It requires two blood tests spaced a few hours apart.

An electrocardiogram is often performed urgently, as high potassium disrupts the heart's rhythm.

It is essential to report any cortisone treatment received recently: it distorts the test.

Treatment

The acute attack is treated in hospitalization: infusion to rehydrate and correct blood salts, correction of potassium, provision of the missing hormone by injection, monitoring of the heart rate. The response is often spectacular within twenty-four to forty-eight hours.

Then, the basic treatment consists of replacing the hormones that the adrenals no longer produce: a hormone given by mouth and, depending on the form, an injectable hormone administered at regular intervals by the veterinarian.

This treatment is for life and must never be interrupted, even if the dog is perfectly well: it is precisely the treatment that keeps him in good shape.

Doses are adjusted after blood checks and adapted during predictable periods of stress – travel, boarding, surgery – on the veterinarian's indication.

Always report the illness to any veterinarian caring for the dog, especially before anesthesia.

Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent the spontaneous form.

The form caused by medications can be avoided by never changing the cortisone treatment yourself: the reduction is always done in stages decided by the veterinarian.

In a dog already diagnosed, seizure prevention is based on regularity of treatment, anticipation of stressful situations and compliance with check-up appointments.

Affected dogs should not be used for breeding into predisposed breeds.

Possible complications

Acute attack with circulatory collapse: this is the major complication, potentially fatal within a few hours without treatment.

Heart rhythm disorders linked to excess potassium.

Digestive bleeding.

Kidney damage linked to repeated dehydration.

Under treatment, excess or lack of correction leads either to significant thirst or to a return of signs of weakness: it is the role of controls to avoid this.

When to see a veterinarian

Your dog collapses, is cold, can't get up or seems very dehydrated: this is a life-threatening emergency, go to a veterinarian immediately.

He presents with repeated episodes of fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea which return after stress.

He is losing weight without explanation and lacks energy.

He is already being treated for this disease and refuses to eat, vomits or appears depressed: contact the veterinarian the same day.

He has been receiving cortisone for a long time and the treatment was abruptly stopped.

Prognosis

It is one of the hormonal diseases with the best prognosis: once the diagnosis is made and replacement treatment is in place, the vast majority of dogs lead a normal life, with a life expectancy close to that of other dogs.

The danger lies in delayed diagnosis and interruptions in treatment, which exposes people to an acute crisis.

Regular monitoring and good information from those around you are the best guarantees of an incident-free life.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my dog get good and then bad, for no apparent reason?

Because the missing hormones are used to cope with stress. As long as life is calm, the dog compensates; a stressful event shifts the balance and triggers a flare-up.

Can treatment be stopped when the dog is well?

No, never. The dog is fine because he is being treated. Stopping treatment exposes you to a serious attack within a few days.

Should I notify you in the event of a trip or operation?

Yes. Periods of stress, anesthesia and hospitalizations often require an adjustment of the treatment, to be decided with the veterinarian in advance.

Is this disease hereditary?

A hereditary part is recognized in several breeds, where the disease returns in certain lines. Affected dogs should not be bred.