Raider, a 6-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever, has lived with Addison’s for 5 years. His owner, Elizabeth Andrews of Pleasantville, Nova Scotia, is active in online forums about dogs with Addison’s.
Properly Diagnosing Addison’s Disease and Your Dog’s Treatment Options
Addison’s disease can mimic many other conditions; here’s how to positively identify it.
Something’s wrong with your dog but you’re not sure what. She seems listless, her eyes have lost their spark, and she just seems “off.” You might notice intermittent muscle weakness, tremors, and an inability to jump into the car or onto a sofa. Or your dog frequently ignores her dinner, vomits, or has diarrhea. These vague symptoms, which may improve and then return, could stem from a dozen canine illnesses – or they might point to Addison’s. Addison’s disease, named for the 19th century physician who defined this adrenal gland dysfunction, is also known as hypoadrenocorticism or adrenal insufficiency. While fatal if left untreated, with appropriate treatment Addison’s can be managed so that affected patients lead normal, active lives. First diagnosed in dogs in the 1950s, it is considered an uncommon canine disorder.
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How to Give Your Dog a Home Health Examination
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Clarifying Diagnosis of Addison’s Disease; Excellent New Book
Subscribers Only — The October and November 2011 issues of Whole Dog Journal provided in-depth discussion of canine Addison’s and... -
New Flea and Tick Products Hit the Market
Subscribers Only — Lately, it seems like new flea and tick control products have been popping up left and right. I suspect this is due... -
Dogs Who Undergo Chemotherapy Treatment – A Comprehensive Report
Subscribers Only — Cancer. My heart dropped to my stomach. In February 2010 my Border Collie Daisy became one of an estimated six... -
Daisy’s Chemotherapy Day
Subscribers Only — We arrive at the veterinary clinic at 7:45 AM. Daisy leaps out of the car and heads for the grass in front of the... -
Holistic Care for Dogs with Addison’s Disease
— While treatment of Addison’s disease focuses on prescription drugs and electrolyte tests, holistic veterinarians... -
Merial Runs Out of Immiticide for Heartworm Treatment
Subscribers Only — The supply of Immiticide (melarsomine dihydrochloride), the only drug approved to treat heartworm infections in dogs,... -
Heartworm Resistance Update September 2011
Subscribers Only — In “Time to Step It Up” (WDJ July 2011), we described one small study that showed only Advantage Multi was... -
Identifying and Treating Skin Conditions that can Affect Your Dog
Subscribers Only — Yikes! What happened to Fido’s nose? And what’s wrong with Fluffy’s paw pads? The possibilities are... -
Treating Your Dog's Corns and Warts
Subscribers Only — Corns and plantar warts may be common on human feet, but they’re rare in dogs – unless the dog is a...
