Addisons Disease Dog

" Addisons disease dog (called hypoadrenocorticism) occurs when the adrenal glands are not functioning properly. These glands, located near the kidney's, have a role in regulating the way a dog's body controls levels of water, sugar and salt. Times when your dog is under stress is when signs of Addisons Disease in Dogs often occur. This is because the adrenal glands produce the hormone cortisol when stressed.  Under production of cortisol results in canine addisions symptoms such as dehydration, a change in heart rate (slow, irregular), weakness and signs of depression. Dogs are treated in the short term to bring the body back into balance with the use of intravenous fluids and medications which replace missing cortisol. Longer term pills administered daily or a monthly injection can hellp a dog with Addisions live a healthy life. Natural remedies can be used as a supportive therapy to help the body regulate itself.  This condition is the opposite of the more common Cushing's Disease, where too much cortisol is produced. "

You are in the Veterinarian’s office and the diagnosis is Addisons disease dog. Don’t panic. Although serious, this disease can be treated and your dog can return to normal activity.

Canine Addison's Disease (hypoadrenocorticism) occurs when your dog's adrenal glands (each kidney has one gland) stops producing the hormones (cortisol and aldestorone) necessary to regulate sodium in the blood. Without these hormones, sodium levels decline causing an increase potassium and lower blood pressure.

The problem is that the higher levels of potassium stop the heart from beating faster, which it would naturally do, such as when there is a loss of blood pressure. With a lower heart rate and lower blood pressure your dog could go into shock (called Addison’s crisis). This could be fatal.

This disease is the opposite of the more common dog adrenal gland problem Canine Cushings disease where too much cortisol is produced.

Types of Addisons Disease Dog

There are three kinds of Canine Addison’s disease called primary, secondary and atypical.

Primary – When the adrenal glands fail to produce both mineralcorteriods and glucococosteriods. Requires the replacement therapy of mineralocortioids.

Atypical – When there is immune system related damage to the adrenal glands. Without treatment can become primary Addisons. Requires replacement therapy of glucocorticoids.

Secondary – When the pituitary gland does not secrete ACTH, a hormone necessary to stimulate the adrenal glands. Requires replacement therapy of glucocorticoids.

Cause of Addisons Disease Dog

Canine Addison’s tends to occur in younger to middle aged dogs with a bias towards females. The disease is more common in certain dog breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, Standard Poodles and Portuguese Water Dogs where it seems to be inherited.

Addison’s can be caused by diseases that affect the functioning of the adrenal gland. This includes toxic drugs, infections and tumors. Sometimes if steroids are used to treat another illness, it can cause the adrenal gland to temporarily stop functioning, inducing Addisons disease.

Symptoms of Canine Addisons

Addisons disease dog symptoms cause a dog to appear weak and lethargic. Vomiting and diarrhea are common. Other symptoms include reduced appetite, tremors, shaking, muscle weakness and pain in the hind quarters.

If your dog collapses for no apparent reason, Addisons disease dog is one of the prime considerations.

Tests for Addisons Disease Dog

Your Veterinarian will do a heart EKG to see if the heart has slowed down or if your dog’s natural pace maker isn’t working. As indicated above, if blood tests show lower sodium levels and higher potassium levels, there is a high likelihood of Addisons. Your Vet may also administer a ACTH test (measures adrenal gland function).

Treatment for Caine Addisons

There are several drugs available to help replace the missing hormones from your dog's body. Examples include Percorten V produced by Novartis and Florinef. Percorten replaces the Aldosterone that the adrenal glands do not make. It is an injection given approximately every 28 days. It is given in combination with Prednisone, a steroid that is given to dogs with Addison's to replace the cortisol that they are not producing.

Treatment costs approximately $30 per month (U.S.$, $37/month Canadian).

Diet for Addisons Disease Dog

When your Addison's disease dog has health problems it is a good idea in general to examine their diet to ensure they are getting the vitamins and nutrition they need.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is the organization that sets commercial standards for dog food in the United States. Only buy dog food that has the following statement on the bag “Animal Feeding Tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that (name of brand) provides complete and balanced nutrition for the growth of dogs”.

If the AAFCO statement is on the bag, the nutritional balance is probably somewhat similar from brand to brand. The key to the statement is “animal feeding tests” which means that the food was tested on dogs over several months and is a commitment to high standards.

If your dog has Addison’s you may want to go beyond the AAFCO standard. This is because AAFCO foods can contain meat by products such as lungs, spleen and kidneys. Not what I want to feed my dog.

If you want to avoid “meat-by-products” you can look for labels that state the ingredients are human grade.

Use of Herbs and Natural Remedies for Canine Addison’s Disease

Herbal products are never considered to be a specific treatment, such as a replacement for a prescription medicsation that provides a cure. They are supportive, in that they contain ingredients that naturally strengthen the body's own defense or help to restore normal function. This can reduce the severity of symptoms and help to protect a dog against the worsening of a disease. One supplement to consider that is made specifically for Addison's is PetAlive Cushex. Be sure to discuss this and other herbal remedies you might find with your veterinarian.

A rule of thumb for determining the right dose is to take your dogs weight and divide it by 150 (called Clarke’s rule). Multiply this percentage by the adult dose of the herb. Herbs can be mixed into dog food or can be turned into a tea for your dog to drink. Always use the manufacturers directions as the best source of information

Many of the following herbs are helpful in Dogs with addisions disease. Many are are found in Cushex or can be purchased individually:

Licorice – This herb interacts and prolongs the effectiveness of corticosterods, the very substance Addison's disease dog need. It has an ACTH-like action on the adrenal cortex, increasing the production of glucose and mineralocorticoids

Milk Thistle – Supports the immune system as an antioxidant.

Slippery Elm – Used as a natural treatment for diarrhea

Ginger – Thought to strengthen steroid production

Garlic – Helps strengthen the heart and reduces blood pressure

Valerian – Beneficial effect on the heart and blood pressure

Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) - helps the liver, kidneys and adrenal glands. Promotes adrenal function.

Arctium laps (Burdock) - detoxifies tissues

Astragalus membranaceous (Huang Qi) - helps to restore balance to the adrenal glands.

Arsenicum (30C) - helps with normal urination and thirst levels.

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References:

Brevitz, Betsy D.V.M – Hound Health Handbook

Griffin, James M. – Dog Owners Home Veterinary Handbook

Washington State University