Background info

This Disease is basically an imbalance of potassium due to defective glands.

Most dogs with Addison’s disease initially have tummy upsets like vomiting and diarrhoea. Lethargy is also a common early sign. Poor appetite can occur as well. These are pretty common signs for many ailments and therefore it can be extremely easy to miss this disease. More severe signs occur when a dog with hypoadrenocorticism is stressed or when potassium levels get high enough to interfere with heart function. Dogs with this problem will sometimes suffer severe shock symptoms when stressed, which can lead to a rapid death. When potassium levels get high heart arrythmias occur or even heart failure which also is fatal. In some cases, especially secondary Addison’s disease, there are no detectable electrolyte changes.

Tests available in the UK — ACTH TEST

This disease can be picked up by changes in the ratio between sodium or potassium by accident at times and the ACTH test picks up these changes, (available in the UK)

The ACTH response test –– administration of this hormone should stimulate production of adrenal hormones. If this does not occur then Addison’s Disease is present. In cases in which the electrolyte levels are normal this is the only test for the problem and it will be missed unless the test is carried out.

At times this disease can be misdiagnosed as renal failure because the symptoms and even the blood work can be similar –– so the ACTH response test may be necessary to differentiate the two conditions.

Treatment available

Treatment for this disease is usually done by oral administration of fludrocortisone acetate (Flurinaf), salting the food, and administration of corticosteroids like prednisone. In a crisis situation this disorder must be treated more aggressively with intravenous fluids, IV glucocorticoids and correction of acid/base balances.

You have to pay close attention to a dog with this problem. Don't ignore any changes in appetite, behaviour or anything else that makes you think your dog is ill. If you work with your vet and are careful about following his or her directions this disease has a good prognosis when it is discovered before a crisis occurs.

Breeding Advice

Though the test for this condition is expensive, the condition if severe, is horrendous for the dog involved and it can be passed on to progeny. Therefore we ask that if you are considering breeding from any dog/bitch from any line known to be affected that you firstly test for this condition before breeding.

Utonagan lines reported to us as being affected

Blustag — Redkite — to date these are the only lines we know to have been affected and only a few cases have been reported to us. Usually the dogs affected have come from inbred or line bred stock, i.e. brother sister, Redkite–Redkite, Blustag–Blustag matings.

Links

http://www.vetinfo.com/dencyclopedia/deaddisons.html