Dogs
If you own a cute dog, then you must have observed that your dog suffers from different illnesses in its lifetime. Some of the common dog health problems are worms, allergies, rabies and heartworms. Addison's disease is a very uncommon disease found in dogs. This disease is associated with insufficient secretion of adrenal hormones through the adrenal glands. This disease is also referred to as hypoadrenocortism.
What is Addison's Disease in Dogs?
Addison's disease results from inadequate secretion of corticosteroid hormones by the adrenal glands. There are two types of corticosteroids, namely glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Glucocorticoids play a significant role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Mineralocorticoids are needed for regulating water and electrolyte balance in the body. Decreased levels of these hormones can lead to reduced sodium and raised potassium levels in the blood, causing low blood pressure. Corticosteroid hormones help the animal to withstand stress physiologically. Deficiency of these hormones result in Addison's disease in dogs.
There are three types of canine Addison's disease such as primary, secondary, and atypical. Primary Addison's disease results from insufficient production of both glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Secondary Addison's disease occurs, when the pituitary gland secretes inadequate amounts of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone ), which is necessary to stimulate the adrenal glands for hormone production. Atypical Addison's disease results from damage to the adrenal glands related to the immune system.
Causes
The exact cause of Addison's disease in dogs is not clear. However, there are several potential causes of Addison's disease in dogs. A tumor of pituitary gland is one of the main reasons of canine Addison's disease. Sometimes, this disease results from a direct injury to the adrenal glands due to infection, hemorrhage or certain autoimmune disorders. The dog may develop Addison's disease after a prolonged treatment with steroids and sudden discontinuation of the medication. Some other possible causes of Addison's disease are heredity, trauma, fungal infections and cancer. Addison's disease is more common in young to middle-aged female dogs. It can occur in any dog breed. However, certain dog breeds like Standard Poodles, Labrador Retrievers, Great Danes, Bearded Collies and Portuguese Water Dogs are more prone to this disease.
Symptoms
Symptoms of canine Addison's disease may resemble other canine diseases. Early symptoms are related to gastrointestinal problems like vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea. The dog also suffers from muscle weakness, lethargy, shaking, slow pulse and collapse. Many a time, symptoms go unnoticed, until Addisonian crisis occurs. During this phase, the dog exhibits the symptoms like acute collapse, irregular heartbeats and shock. Due to low sodium and high potassium levels in the blood, the blood pressure falls, which can prove to be fatal.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of Canine Addison's disease includes different blood tests such as determination of electrolyte levels like sodium and potassium, and ACTH stimulation test. When the diagnosis of Addison's disease is confirmed, the veterinarian administers oral hormone replacement therapy. Most dogs are treated with oral drugs like fludrocortisone acetate. Another option is injectable medications like percortin. This drug is injected once in every four weeks. In case of Addisonian crisis, IV fluids and electrolytes are also administered along with corticosteroids. Herbal remedies like licorice, ginger, garlic, dandelion and valerian are also effective for the treatment of canine Addition's disease.
By maintaining good hygiene, proper care and with ample love, you can prevent any health problems in your loving pet and keep it healthy and playful lifelong.
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Dogs
Canine Addison's Disease
If you own a cute dog, then you must have observed that your dog suffers from different illnesses in its lifetime. Some of the common dog health problems are worms, allergies, rabies and heartworms. Addison's disease is a very uncommon disease found in dogs. This disease is associated with insufficient secretion of adrenal hormones through the adrenal glands. This disease is also referred to as hypoadrenocortism.
What is Addison's Disease in Dogs?
Addison's disease results from inadequate secretion of corticosteroid hormones by the adrenal glands. There are two types of corticosteroids, namely glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Glucocorticoids play a significant role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Mineralocorticoids are needed for regulating water and electrolyte balance in the body. Decreased levels of these hormones can lead to reduced sodium and raised potassium levels in the blood, causing low blood pressure. Corticosteroid hormones help the animal to withstand stress physiologically. Deficiency of these hormones result in Addison's disease in dogs.
There are three types of canine Addison's disease such as primary, secondary, and atypical. Primary Addison's disease results from insufficient production of both glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Secondary Addison's disease occurs, when the pituitary gland secretes inadequate amounts of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone ), which is necessary to stimulate the adrenal glands for hormone production. Atypical Addison's disease results from damage to the adrenal glands related to the immune system.
Causes
The exact cause of Addison's disease in dogs is not clear. However, there are several potential causes of Addison's disease in dogs. A tumor of pituitary gland is one of the main reasons of canine Addison's disease. Sometimes, this disease results from a direct injury to the adrenal glands due to infection, hemorrhage or certain autoimmune disorders. The dog may develop Addison's disease after a prolonged treatment with steroids and sudden discontinuation of the medication. Some other possible causes of Addison's disease are heredity, trauma, fungal infections and cancer. Addison's disease is more common in young to middle-aged female dogs. It can occur in any dog breed. However, certain dog breeds like Standard Poodles, Labrador Retrievers, Great Danes, Bearded Collies and Portuguese Water Dogs are more prone to this disease.
Symptoms
Symptoms of canine Addison's disease may resemble other canine diseases. Early symptoms are related to gastrointestinal problems like vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea. The dog also suffers from muscle weakness, lethargy, shaking, slow pulse and collapse. Many a time, symptoms go unnoticed, until Addisonian crisis occurs. During this phase, the dog exhibits the symptoms like acute collapse, irregular heartbeats and shock. Due to low sodium and high potassium levels in the blood, the blood pressure falls, which can prove to be fatal.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of Canine Addison's disease includes different blood tests such as determination of electrolyte levels like sodium and potassium, and ACTH stimulation test. When the diagnosis of Addison's disease is confirmed, the veterinarian administers oral hormone replacement therapy. Most dogs are treated with oral drugs like fludrocortisone acetate. Another option is injectable medications like percortin. This drug is injected once in every four weeks. In case of Addisonian crisis, IV fluids and electrolytes are also administered along with corticosteroids. Herbal remedies like licorice, ginger, garlic, dandelion and valerian are also effective for the treatment of canine Addition's disease.
By maintaining good hygiene, proper care and with ample love, you can prevent any health problems in your loving pet and keep it healthy and playful lifelong.
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Vestibular disease in dogs is related to the abnormalities in the body movement and balancing mechanism. Based on the underlying cause, it is categorized into two types, viz. central and peripheral vestibular disease. The former case develops due...
- Canine Autoimmune Disease
Canine autoimmune disease is more or less similar to autoimmune disorders in humans. Some dog breeds are at a higher risk of developing this disease than others. As we all know, the immune system is responsible for recognizing any intrusion of microorganisms...
- Cushing's Disease In Dogs
Cushing's disease in dogs is also known as hyperadrenocorticism. It means that there is an increased level of glucocorticoid hormones in the dog's body. The increased levels of hormones is due to overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal...
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The word 'sick dog' does not tell you anything about the medical condition of the dog. Dog may become sick due to several reasons. Sickness in dogs may not be as evident as sickness in humans. The fact that a dog cannot communicate his discomfort...
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