Addison disease in dogs - causes, diagnosis and treatment

Addison disease in dogs occurs because of decreased secretion of corticosteroids by the adrenal gland and is also known as hypoadrenocorticism. This disease is difficult to detect in its early stages, but once diagnosed can be treated successfully.

Cause

The adrenal gland secretes a number of substances that are needed to regulate normal body functions of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids are important. Glucocorticoids asCortisol influences the balance of fats, sugars and protein metabolism and mineralocorticoids such as aldosterone regulate electrolytes such as sodium and potassium in the body, especially during stressful situations. The symptoms of Addison's disease appear when these hormones are not secreted in adequate amounts by the adrenal glands.

The failure of the adrenal glands can be caused by the destruction of it by glands in the body or by an infection of the glands. Other causesAddison's disease include inadequate secretion of ACTH by the pituitary gland, which stimulates the adrenal glands and the failure of hypothalamic CRH secretion, which controls the adrenal glands.

Symptoms

Although Addison's disease is predominantly found in dogs can develop in dogs of both sexes at any age. Nor is partial to any particular race. The symptoms of this disease are often vague and dogs experiencing these symptoms for a prolongedtime before being diagnosed. The most common symptoms include decreased heart rate, hypothermia, muscle weakness, vomiting, lethargy and anorexia. Symptoms may come and go more complicated and delayed the diagnosis. In some extreme cases the dog may collapse in shock due to an imbalance of electrolytes and metabolism in stress situations. This condition called Addison's crisis' can be fatal without prompt treatment.

Diagnosis

The confirmation of Addison's disease indogs is done through a blood test called the ACTH stimulation test. However, since this disease is not common and that many because of its vague symptoms and ACTH test is most often done only after other tests for common diseases is performed to rule.

When an animal is taken to a hospital in shock due to electrolyte imbalance, then you get to the first therapy for a presumptive diagnosis, and only after obtaining the ACTH stimulation test to confirm Addisonthe disease becomes.

In the event that the animal has one or all symptoms, blood counts and chemistry profile, probably it is recommended first. If tests show the presence of chronic anemia, increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, the test is performed to confirm the ACTH Addison's disease.

For a normal dog ACTH results show high levels of cortisol in the blood. But if your dog has Addison's disease and the results showed noincreased levels of cortisol in the blood, confirming the presence of the disease.

Treatment

The prognosis for Addison's disease in dogs is excellent and, once diagnosed, treatment for Addison's disease is very simple. Typically, treatment consists of drugs such as Florinef (fludrocortisone) to replace glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids in the body. advanced treatments related to drugs such as DocPad to be injected only once every 25 days. Intensive tests have shownFlorinef electrolyte regulation DocPad best of what is usually given twice a day.