Additionally,
the abrupt discontinuation of some medications (such as Prednisone) can sometimes cause Addison's disease in animals
. Addison's disease is tricky to diagnose because the symptoms for the disease vary greatly and include some rather innocuous issues.
What triggers Addison's disease in dogs?
Although it is much more rare, Addison's Disease can result from
damage to your dog's adrenal glands caused by infection or trauma, or treatment for Cushing's disease
. A secondary form of Addison's can stem from a tumor or defect in the pituitary gland, or suddenly stopping long-term steroid treatment.
Can prednisone cause Addison's disease?
People take steroids for various conditions, as they help manage inflammation. However,
long-term use can disrupt hormone production in the adrenal glands and increase the risk of Addison's disease
. Glucocorticoids — such as cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone, and dexamethasone — act like cortisol.
What does prednisone do for dogs with Addison's?
One component of therapy is to
replace the cortisol deficiency
with an oral steroid (prednisone). This is easy to do and inexpensive. It is equally critical to replace the aldosterone deficiency as this hormone helps maintain normal electrolyte concentrations, fluid balance, and acid-base status.
What are signs of Addison's disease in dogs?
- Depression.
- Lethargy.
- Anorexia (lack of appetite)
- Weight loss.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Bloody stools.
- Alopecia (hair loss)
When does Addison's disease start in dogs?
Addison's disease occurs most commonly in young to middle-aged female dogs.
The average age at diagnosis is about 4 years old
. The signs of Addison's disease may be severe and appear suddenly or may occur intermittently and vary in severity.
How do you reverse Addison's disease?
Addison's disease cannot be cured but can be significantly improved with
hormone replacement therapy and the avoidance of common triggers
. If treated properly, Addison's disease can be brought under control and you can be better assured of living a long and healthy life.
How long does a dog with Addison's disease live?
Fortunately, dogs usually feel better within several days of treatment, and most symptoms of Addison's disease are gone within
two to four weeks
. The majority of patients have a good prognosis and once they've been stabilized with the appropriate medications, most dogs resume normal lives.
Which of the following is a common adverse effect of prednisone?
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, heartburn, trouble sleeping, increased sweating, or acne
may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Should I put my dog down with Addison's disease?
In the advanced stages of the disease, an animal may collapse completely, suffering from heart problems caused by elevated levels of potassium in the blood.
The advanced stages of this disease should be considered an emergency and veterinary care should be given immediately
.
What can mimic Addison's disease in dogs?
vulpis infection
has been reported, its pathogenesis is not well understood. The symptoms mimic those of Addison's disease with waxing and waning weakness. Severe electrolyte disturbance ultimately creates dehydration.
Does Addison's disease in dogs come on suddenly?
In general,
the symptoms of Addison's disease seem to come on quickly, usually over what seems to be just a few days; however, it can develop over weeks or months as well
. Most owners note that their pet develops several problems at about the same time. These problems include: Loss of appetite.
What is the treatment for atypical Addison's disease in dogs?
The key in treating all atypical Addison's dogs is to give them the smallest amount of
prednisone or methylprednisolone
to control their clinical signs and minimize any potential side effects of the corticosteroid.
What is atypical Addison's?
In atypical Addison's disease,
only certain layers of the adrenal cortex are affected rather than the entire adrenal gland
. The top layer (zona glomerulosa) still functions in atypical Addison's disease, which is the part that makes the aldosterone.
How long can a dog take prednisone?
Most vets will only prescribe prednisone for a limited time. This is because short-term use of prednisone has fewer side effects than long-term use. The longer your dog is given prednisone, the higher the chances of developing adverse side effects. Long-term prescriptions last about
three to four months
.
Do dogs with Addison's disease drink a lot of water?
Addison disease symptoms
Signs of Addison's in dogs typically include lethargy, lack of appetite, depression, reluctance to exercise, vomiting and diarrhoea. These may appear very suddenly and can be both intermittent and severe.
Dogs suffering from the illness may also drink more and urinate more
.
What medication is used to treat Addison's disease in dogs?
If your pet has a more chronic incidence of Addison's disease, it will be prescribed daily
glucocorticoids, such as Prednisolone, and/or mineralocorticoids, such as Fludrocortisone
. Or, some pets can be treated with Percorten-V (DOCP or Desoxycorticosterone Pivalate) injections every 3-4 weeks.
Why do Addison's dogs shake?
Toxicity – Exposure to many toxic substances including chocolate, nicotine, and snail bait may cause trembling or shaking. Addison's Syndrome –
Dogs that have Addison's disease have a problem with their adrenal glands that does not allow them to have enough natural cortisol in their bloodstream
.
Is Addison's disease in dogs expensive to treat?
Medical treatment can be
as low as $50 a month or as high as $200
, depending on the dog's response to treatment and the drug(s) selected. Frequent lab work must also be factored in to the cost structure to ensure that patients are responding appropriately.
What is the most common cause of Addison disease?
Tuberculosis (TB)
is the most common cause of Addison's disease worldwide, but it's rare in the UK. TB is a bacterial infection that mostly affects the lungs but can also spread to other parts of your body. It can cause Addison's disease if it damages your adrenal glands.
What foods should you avoid with Addison's disease?
- Coffee.
- Green tea.
- Black tea.
- Too much alcohol.
- Too many bananas.
- Too many oranges.
- Salt substitutes.
What makes Addison's disease worse?
Learn more: Addison's disease »
Low levels of cortisol can cause weakness, fatigue, and low blood pressure. You may have more symptoms if you have
untreated Addison's disease or damaged adrenal glands due to severe stress, such as from a car accident or an infection
.
What can mimic Addison's disease?
Multiple conditions can mimic one or more symptoms of adrenal insufficiency (
chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, chronic dyspepsia
, etc.). However, adrenal insufficiency should always be excluded prior to attributing the patient's symptoms to a different or co-existent disorder.
How long can a dogs live with untreated Addison's?
Left untreated, Addison's disease is
often fatal
, but fortunately, with treatment, most dogs have a good outlook and can live a relatively normal life. Addison's disease can affect any dog, of any age, but is most common in middle-aged females.
