Addison’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Addison’s disease is an endocrine disease that majorly affects dogs.  Also known as hypoadrenocorticism, Addison’s disease happens due to under functioning of adrenal glands. Adrenal glands secrete hormones – mineralocorticoids, androgens and glucocorticoids that are highly important for sustaining life. The glucocorticoids regulate metabolism of protein, fat and glucose whereas mineralocorticoids help in regulating electrolytic balance, blood pressure and extracellular fluid volume.  When these functions are not carried out properly, it causes Addison’s disease. 


Causes Of Addison’s Disease

·        Immune-mediated destruction of adrenal tissue
·        Infection or trauma of adrenal glands
·        Treatment of Cushing’s disease which can suppress the production of cortisol and aldosterone
·       Secondary form of Addison’s disease can occur due to defect in the pituitary gland function or tumor
·        It can also occur due to long term treatment using steroids
·      Vulnerability of the breed to this disease. For instance, Bearded collie, Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers, Labrador retrievers and leonbergers are more likely to contract this disease compared to other dog breeds.

Symptoms of Addison’s Disease 

Addison’s disease is very difficult to diagnose but certain symptoms can definitely indicate the presence of the disease. These may include:

·        Loss of Appetite
·        Gastroenteritis
·        Depression
·        Lethargy
·        Weight Loss
·        Diarrhea
·        Dehydration
·        Pain in abdomen
·        Hypoglycemia
·        Vomiting
·        Low temperature
·        Hyper pigmentation

Diagnosis of Addison’s Disease

A vet generally recommends blood work after examining the symptoms. In addition, ACTH stimulation test is also conducted to check the imbalances in the cortisol levels. ECG, abdominal ultrasound or radiograph can also be performed to figure out the cause of the symptoms. MRI and CT Scan can also be conducted to check any functional issues with the pituitary gland as well.

Treatment of Addison’s Disease

Percoten-V is normally used to treat Addison’s disease in dogs. These injections are taken every 3-4 weeks and eliminates the deficiency of mineralocorticoid aldosterone and glucocorticoid.
At times, oral treatments are also recommended for curing the disease. The prognosis may include follow-up testing and monitoring of the cortisol levels. Other than that, the vet may also perform regular check-ups.

Addison’s disease is debilitating and can take a pet’s life and hence must be treated without delay. Though pet parents only get to know about this disease when their pet suffers from Addison crisis but if treatment is given on time, it can be definitely cured.

                                               Dog Supplies

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Which Flea and Tick Treatment To Choose? Oral Vs. Topical Treatment

Image
Previously every pet parent used to struggle with one problem and that is, “Which topical flea and tick treatment to choose?” But after the advancement in the healthcare field, nowadays there is one more question that most pet parents ask and that is,” Which flea and tick treatment to choose, oral or topical?” You also might be one of those pet parents who is confused as to which treatment to choose to ensure a complete flea and tick protection? Don’t be confused, just refer to the comparison between oral and topical treatment given below and choose whichever suits you and your pet. Oral Flea and Tick Treatment Oral flea and tick treatments come in tasty chews or pills and can be administered on a monthly basis, in case of Bravecto it can be given in the interval of 3 months. There are many oral treatments like Bravecto , Capstar, Program flavored tablets , Comfortis and Nexgard Spectra . Benefits: Very easy to feed because they come in beef- flavored, l...
Read more
Image
Dog Belly Rubs—Likes and Dislikes   The most joyous part of having a dog is petting him whenever you wish to. It not only bestows joy to you and your pup but also strengthens the bond, trust and affection between you and your lovely companion. Your dog knows that when you pet them and spend some time with them, you are expressing your love and care for what they are. In response, your four-legged partner may show some postures where their stomach is exposed, paws in the air and smiling face expressing a happy relaxed mood. That means your pup is ready to fully trust you and asking for getting their belly rubbed. On the flip, sometimes, this kind of postures also indicates submissive behaviors. It can be the act of submission that serves to stop aggression or a tactic executed for combat purposes. Also, it can be observed when dogs are trying to diffuse social nervousness by indicating themselves innocuous or non-dangerous. By reading the following dog’s body language signals, y...
Read more