Key takeaways:
Addison’s disease (hypoadrenocorticism) in dogs is a condition that affects the production of stress hormones. It can be life-threatening if untreated.
The symptoms of Addison’s disease in dogs — such as vomiting, weight loss, and lack of appetite — can be difficult to tell apart from the symptoms of other conditions.
Treatment consists of supplementing the missing hormones with medication.
You may have heard of Addison’s disease in humans. But dogs can develop it, too. The signs of the condition can be missed, making the disease hard to diagnose. This can lead to a life-threatening situation.
Here’s everything you need to know about Addison’s disease (hypoadrenocorticism) in dogs.
What is Addison’s disease in dogs?
Addison’s disease in dogs is caused by a lack of hormone production from a dog’s adrenal glands. Healthy adrenal glands produce cortisol and aldosterone.
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Cortisol helps a dog respond to stress and regulate normal body functions, such as those handled by the digestive track. Aldosterone regulates sodium and potassium in dogs’ bodies, which also helps keep their fluid balanced during times of stress. Dogs with Addison’s disease can’t make these hormones.
Without cortisol and aldosterone, dogs can’t respond to situations that are stressful, no matter how small. This can lead to uncomfortable symptoms for your dog. Addison’s disease can also progress to an Addisonian crisis, which can be life-threatening.
Female dogs are more likely to develop Addison’s disease than male dogs. Dogs are also typically younger — between 4 and 5 years old — when the disease develops.
Atypical Addison’s disease in dogs
Atypical Addison’s disease happens when dogs only lose the ability to produce cortisol. In this case, their body can still produce aldosterone. They might have the same symptoms as dogs with the typical form of Addison’s disease. And treatment usually involves supplementing only the cortisol.
It’s possible for atypical Addison’s disease to eventually turn into the typical form. So, it’s important to check your dog’s sodium and potassium levels every 2 months or so for at least a year.
What are the most common symptoms of Addison's disease?
Addison’s disease is sometimes called “the great imitator,” since the signs are fairly generic. The most common Addison's disease symptoms don’t specifically indicate that something might be wrong with your dog’s adrenal glands.
Calming stressed dogs: If your dog is prone to anxiety, there are ways you can help calm them down. Here are some effective calming techniques.
Lack of appetite: Why isn’t your dog eating? Learn some of the most common reasons a dog might lose their usual appetite.
Recognizing dog pain: Can you spot all the signs that a dog might be in pain? Check out this list so you’ll be able to recognize an issue early.
Symptoms of Addison's disease include:
Increased thirst
Lethargy
Weight loss
At first, these symptoms might come and go, and your dog might just seem off and not themselves. So, keep an eye out for these symptoms or other changes in your dog’s typical behavior.
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Symptoms of an Addisonian crisis
If the symptoms of Addison’s disease continue without treatment, your dog’s condition could progress to an Addisonian crisis — a life-threatening situation where their body can’t handle the lack of stress hormones anymore.
An Addisonian crisis can be sudden. The signs are:
Collapse
Diarrhea
Shock
Vomiting
Weakness
Your dog needs immediate veterinary care in an Addisonian crisis. An Addisonian crisis likely requires hospitalization for fluid therapy and medication to treat high potassium levels.
What causes Addison's disease in dogs?
In most cases, the cause of Addison’s disease in dogs is unknown. But it’s suspected to be an autoimmune response, where the body attacks itself. We do know of a few factors that may cause some cases of Addison’s disease, which are outlined below.
Dog breed
Some dog breeds might have a higher risk of inheriting Addison’s disease, which means it may be caused by genetics. Breeds at higher risk for Addison’s disease include:
Bearded collies
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling retrievers
Portuguese water dogs
Standard poodles
Cushing’s disease treatment
Treatment for Cushing’s disease can damage the adrenal glands and cause Addison’s disease. In Cushing’s disease, a dog’s adrenal glands produce too much cortisol — the opposite of Addison’s disease.
Declining adrenal glands
Another cause can be from declining adrenal glands. This is a type of Addison’s disease called secondary Addison’s disease. In this case, a dog’s pituitary gland may not produce ACTH (a type of hormone called adrenocorticotropic). This causes the adrenal glands to deteriorate and not function well.
Other conditions
Other causes of Addison’s disease may stem from damage to the adrenal glands from:
Cancer
Infection
Injury
What conditions share symptoms with Addison's disease in dogs?
Other diseases and conditions share some of the same symptoms as Addison’s disease in dogs. It can be mistaken for:
Gastrointestinal disease
Low blood sugar
Shock
Whipworm infection
How is Addison's disease in dogs diagnosed?
To diagnose Addison’s disease, your veterinarian will consider your dog’s history, symptoms, and blood work. But the best test to confirm Addison’s disease is the ACTH stimulation test.
ACTH is produced naturally in the brain’s pituitary gland. It signals the adrenal glands to produce its hormones in response to stress.
The ACTH stimulation test measures the adrenal glands’ response to ACTH to make sure they’re responding correctly. Stress (cortisol) hormone levels are measured before and after the stimulation test for comparison.
In dogs with Addison’s disease, their cortisol levels won’t rise in response to ACTH. This means your dog’s adrenal glands aren’t working properly, and it’s what veterinarians look for to confirm Addison’s disease in dogs.
How is Addison’s disease in dogs treated?
Your veterinarian will go over the best treatment option for your dog. Addison’s disease is treated by supplementing the hormones cortisol and aldosterone. This can be achieved in two different ways:
Desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP): DOCP (Percorten-V or Zycortal) is an aldosterone injection given about every 25 days. Along with DOCP, your dog will also need a daily medication to supplement your pet's cortisol levels. This is usually done with a medication such as prednisone, which your dog takes as a pill.
Fludrocortisone: Fludrocortisone (Florinef) is a medication given to dogs twice a day in pill form. It replaces aldosterone and balances your dog’s sodium and potassium levels. It also supplements cortisol. But some dogs might need additional medication for cortisol. And fludrocortisone can be very expensive.
Regardless of the approach used, your dog’s sodium and potassium levels will need to be measured before and after they start treatment. Your vet might recommend rechecking your dog’s levels once or twice a year.
It’s also best to lower your dog’s stress whenever possible, because they don’t make enough stress hormones. During stressful times, some dogs might need extra doses of prednisone to prevent increased symptoms. Your veterinarian will instruct you on how to handle these situations.
How long can dogs live with Addison's disease?
With consistent treatment, the prognosis for dogs with Addison’s disease is excellent. Many dogs go on to live long, normal lives, even if they experience an Addisonian crisis. But dogs will need lifelong treatment with medication to manage their condition.
Frequently asked questions
If your dog with Addison’s disease has lost their appetite, it’s best to consult your veterinarian. Loss of appetite can be a sign that they may need additional treatment. Your dog might be stressed. Or their medication might need to be adjusted. Your vet may recommend increasing your dog’s cortisol supplement during times when they’re sick or stressed.
Addison’s disease is an uncommon condition in dogs. It’s been diagnosed in both male and female dogs of all ages. But it’s most common in young female dogs.
If your dog with Addison’s disease has lost their appetite, it’s best to consult your veterinarian. Loss of appetite can be a sign that they may need additional treatment. Your dog might be stressed. Or their medication might need to be adjusted. Your vet may recommend increasing your dog’s cortisol supplement during times when they’re sick or stressed.
Addison’s disease is an uncommon condition in dogs. It’s been diagnosed in both male and female dogs of all ages. But it’s most common in young female dogs.
The bottom line
Addison’s disease (hypoadrenocorticism) affects dogs’ ability to produce cortisol and aldosterone. The condition causes vague symptoms, such as diarrhea, lack of appetite, and lethargy. These nonspecific symptoms often cause the condition to be misdiagnosed as kidney disease or low blood sugar at first. Addison’s disease can be diagnosed in dogs using blood testing. Treatment for Addison’s disease consists of medication that replaces the hormones your dog can’t make on their own. But dogs with Addison’s disease can live normal lives with treatment.
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References
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