Addison disease in dogs is caused by the abnormal functioning of adrenaline glands due to which low levels of cortisol hormone is produced. It can occur in any dog breed and is rare. Addison's disease is caused due to cancer, fungal infections, trauma or it can be heredity in nature. |
Sponsored Links :
|
Some of the symptoms of Addison’s disease include lethargy, weakness and depression, loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, urination, fast heart beat and lot of water consumption.
If the symptoms go unnoticed, you pet may not get diagnosed at the right time and may reach a critical condition. Shock and acute collapse could be the ultimate consequence. The blood of the pets with this disorder contains high levels of potassium, low amount of sodium and high kidney enzymes.
Generally Addison’s disease is mistaken as kidney failure and the pet is administered IV fluids to balance the electrolyte levels.
Blood tests help to diagnose the Addison disease. The best test to conclude on this disease is the ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone) stimulation test. This would take about 2 hours to complete. A blood sample is taken for baseline reading. Then the pet is given an injection of synthetic ACTH hormone. Again, another sample is taken to read the concentration of the cortisol. If the levels are low even after synthetic injection, the pet is concluded to have Addison Disease.
Addison disease is treated by administering the drugs like Florinef or Percorten-V and Prednisone. These drugs would restore the balance the mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid levels. Prednisone dosage would be tapered over a few weeks.
More Articles :
|
