Sodium and potassium levels in the blood - low sodium and high potassium are the hallmark signs of Addison's disease but may not be present early on when the dog is still producing some mineralocorticoid hormone. Several tests are usually needed to help confirm the diagnosis including: In addition, other conditions can cause similar signs including liver disease, pancreatitis, renal failure, Cushing's disease and diabetes mellitus. How is Addison's disease in dogs diagnosed?Īddison's disease can be quite difficult to identify because the symptoms are broad and non-specific.

In severe cases, there may be a sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea which progresses to lethargy, collapse and shock. Typical symptoms of Addison's disease in dogs include: What are the symptoms of Addison's disease in dogs?Īddison's is often referred to as the great pretender by veterinarians because the symptoms often overlap with other, more common conditions. There are many breed predilections but the most common breeds affected are:Ĩ0% of all cases are less than 7 years of age and the majority are females. What are the most common breeds affected by Addison's Disease? Without proper levels of these hormones, many bodily functions are negatively affected. These are important regulators of water retention, blood pressure and potassium levels in the blood. Addison's disease occurs when the adrenal glands are not able to produce adequate quantities of hormones, including cortisol (glucocorticoid) and aldosterone (mineralocorticoid). Immune-mediated destruction of the adrenal gland is the most likely and common cause of Addison's disease. This means the immune system is malfunctioning and mistakenly attacking healthy tissue, in this case, the adrenal glands.Īddison's disease can also be caused by a tumour in the dog's adrenal gland and other processes that destroy the adrenal glands such as infections. The most common cause of Addison's disease is an autoimmune reaction that targets the adrenal glands. Cortisol has many functions in the dog, but one of its responsibilities relates to handling stress and emergencies. The adrenal glands are located near the kidneys (one on each side of the body) and produce several different hormones, including cortisol. Addison's disease is an endocrine disorder that affects the adrenal glands.

Symptoms of adrenal gland in dogs