Addison's Disease
Addison's disease is an autoimmune disease, which is where the body attacks its own biochemicals. In the case of Addison’s, it causes a deficiency of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands and the dog loses control of sodium and potassium regulation. As a result, sodium levels in the blood fall, and potassium levels rise.
Symptoms of Addison’s disease fluctuate, and can be mild, moderate or severe. They are similar to the symptoms present in other diseases and vets might mistake them for kidney disease. Signs become more frequent and severe when the dog is under stress. They include weakness, lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, poor skin and coat, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, increased thirst and urination, shaking and trembling.
If symptoms go unnoticed or are incorrectly diagnosed, the dog will eventually go into an Addisonian crisis resulting in collapse and shock.
Treatment consists of replacing the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid steroids. The dose of Prednisone will taper over the course of a few weeks. It is very important that these drugs are given as prescribed.
Addison's disease is an autoimmune disease, which is where the body attacks its own biochemicals. In the case of Addison’s, it causes a deficiency of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands and the dog loses control of sodium and potassium regulation. As a result, sodium levels in the blood fall, and potassium levels rise.
Symptoms of Addison’s disease fluctuate, and can be mild, moderate or severe. They are similar to the symptoms present in other diseases and vets might mistake them for kidney disease. Signs become more frequent and severe when the dog is under stress. They include weakness, lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, poor skin and coat, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, increased thirst and urination, shaking and trembling.
If symptoms go unnoticed or are incorrectly diagnosed, the dog will eventually go into an Addisonian crisis resulting in collapse and shock.
Treatment consists of replacing the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid steroids. The dose of Prednisone will taper over the course of a few weeks. It is very important that these drugs are given as prescribed.
Addison’s is an autoimmune disease, where the body is unable to recognise its own biochemicals, and considers them to be foreign invaders. When we vaccinate our dogs, we inject cow blood products. These confuse the dog’s body, since cow blood is similar to, but not the same as, the dog’s blood. An immune defence is mounted, and the dog attacks his own cells and tissues. By reducing the number of times we vaccinate our dogs, we reduce the potential for causing autoimmune diseases.
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