Canine Addison Disease

When you hear Canine Addison Disease, you could be excused for automatically thinking the worst.

• What is it?
• What does it do to my dog?
• Is it incurable?

Knowing more about this dreaded disease will help you manage your dog’s life better so he will live a full and relatively healthy life.

Suffering from Canine Addison Disease is not the ideal situation you want your dog to be in.

So What is Canine Addison Disease?

In a nutshell, this condition is frequently caused by the body’s deficiency to produce enough cortisol by the adrenal glands. This hormone is critical to regulate the balance of salt, sugar, and water in your dog’s body. While this is not a fatal sickness, Addisons Disease seriously compromises the quality of life of your dog.

When your pet is experiencing stress, the natural response of the body is to produce cortisol. When this is not happening, the dog will not be able to cope with stress properly. Stress can be the result of a sudden change in diet, having strangers in their space, or too much physical exertion. It is a good idea to let your dog gradually become used to a change you are planning to implement, to avoid stress. For example, a new diet should be introduced over a course of a month, slowly increasing the ratio of the new food while decreasing the old one to prevent stress and indigestion problems.

Addisons Disease is said to be the mirror counterpart of Cushings Disease. In Cushings Disease, there is an overproduction of cortisol—which is also a very dangerous condition for your dog.

Any dog has can contract Addisons Disease, however some breeds are reported to have a higher incidence of this sickness simply because they are genetically made that way. Some of these breeds include Poodles, terriers, Great Danes, Portuguese Water Dogs and duck-trolling Retrievers.

The early symptoms of Addisons are fairly unnoticeable and may even come and go intermittently. Restlessness, diarrhea, weakness, nausea and lack of appetite may occur, often when the animal is subjected to a huge amount of stress. Some owners may not think of much of it, but it is a good idea to take your dog to the vet for a thorough examination.

Symptoms of Addisons Disease may be mistaken for food poisoning, pancreatitis, hypoglycaemia, gastric volvulus, joint and skeletal problems. The earlier you detect any canine ailment, the better his options and chances for recovery.

Dog Addisons Disease usually develops gradually and is a chronic condition. It often becomes progressively worse over time. If nothing is done to treat it, an affected dog may suffer from circulatory collapse.

A good diet that will replace the necessary nutrients is important. Look out for heathy food that do not contain artificial preservatives and additives to the dog food. Exercise him regularly to strengthen his organs and improve his circulation. Detoxing can also help keep Addisons Disease under control. And most of all avoid stress inducing happenings from influencing your dog’s health as much as possible.

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