Abdominal pain (due to either kidney or stomach problems)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAddisonian Disease and Diagnosis<\/h2>\n If your dog has just been diagnosed with Addison\u2019s disease, there is no reason to panic. Your dog will need routine treatment for the rest of their life but will go on to be their happy, healthy, tail-wagging selves once again.<\/p>\n
Costly Diagnosis<\/h4>\n <\/h4>\n The initial diagnosis might be somewhat costly. That is because dogs do not often arrive for treatment until they have already entered an Addisonian crisis. To treat the crisis, hospitalization will be required. The cost will entail overnight stays, IVs, medications, and a variety of tests. Bloodwork will need to be performed in order to diagnose adrenal insufficiency.<\/p>\n
If Addison\u2019s is suspected, the veterinarian will also most likely be interested in running tests on the dog\u2019s heart, kidneys, liver, blood sugar levels, pancreas, thyroid, and urine. Without treatment, the dog\u2019s heart will be unable to effectively pump blood to the rest of their body, leading to a fatal Addisonian crisis.<\/p>\n
Hormone Replacement Therapy<\/h4>\n There is no cure for Addison\u2019s disease, meaning that once the adrenal glands stop producing the necessary amounts of cortisol (and other hormones and steroids), there is no way for them to start working again. So instead of relying on the adrenal glands for cortisol, your dog will require routine hormone replacement therapy. This treatment will give your dog\u2019s body the hormones and steroids that their adrenal glands were unable to produce on their own.<\/p>\n
Treatment<\/h2>\n Treatment regimens are personalized for each individual dog, and unfortunately, it can take time to determine exactly how much medication your dog\u2019s body needs. In the first few months following a diagnosis of Addison\u2019s disease, you may need to spend a fair amount of time working with your vet to identify whether the amount of medication your dog is taking needs to be raised or lowered for optimal health. Furthermore, the amount they need will likely change over time.<\/p>\n
Hormone Replacement Tablets<\/h4>\n [amazon box=”B00OV5K1MM”]” or other yummy treats that you can hide their pill in. Some of the common Addison\u2019s treatment pills are Prednisolone and Fludrocortisone. They both cost between roughly 25 cents and $1 a day. The total cost will depend on how many milligrams of hormonal treatment your dog requires.<\/p>\n
Hormone Replacement Injections<\/h4>\n Sometimes instead of a pill, veterinarians will recommend hormone replacement therapies that come in the form of injections. One of the more common ones is Percorten-V. This is an injectable medication that costs around $200 for a 25-milligram vial. If your vet prescribes this medication or one like it, you will most likely need to give your dog the injection once every 3 to 4 weeks.<\/p>\n
Adjusting Medication<\/h4>\n There are certain times in your dog\u2019s life when medication adjustments will be necessary. Since cortisol is related to the way that the body responds to stress. Higher doses of medications are typically recommended when your dog is going through something particularly stressful. This includes illnesses and surgeries.<\/p>\n
If your dog has Addison\u2019s and they become sick with something completely unrelated, it is important to let your vet know. They may recommend your dog receive some extra doses of hormone replacement therapy until they recover. Likewise, psychological stressors such as moving to a new home or a fear of thunder during the rainy season can also require additional treatment.<\/p>\n
Follow Treatments Correctly<\/h4>\n Remember that treatment for Addison\u2019s disease is serious. Although the treatment is incredibly effective when done correctly, it can become fatal when the vet\u2019s orders are not followed. Never adjust your dog\u2019s hormone replacement therapy medications without first talking to your vet. If you are ever concerned that you\u2019ve forgotten a dose, or accidentally overdosed, talk to a professional immediately. Try your best to get into a good routine with giving your dog their medication, and have a plan of who to call when accidents happen.<\/p>\n
Dietary Information<\/h2>\n Dietary changes are not necessary for the successful treatment of Addison\u2019s disease. The only way to effectively treat adrenal insufficiency is with hormone replacement therapy. However, there are some holistic practices that can help make your dog even healthier and happier.<\/p>\n
[amazon box=”B002RGU0AA”] to your dog\u2019s diet. Many dogs struggle with throwing up, diarrhea, or digestive problems because of Addison’s. In that case, you could add digestive enzymes to their meals.<\/p>\n
Additionally, there are a variety of dog foods made for those with sensitive stomachs. Limited ingredient foods with whole proteins (\u201csalmon\u201d rather than \u201csalmon meal\u201d) are typically best for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Dogs with hearts affected by Addison’s disease would benefit most from a heart-healthy diet. Their diet should include \u201ctaurine\u201d, an amino acid that has been found to support canine heart health.<\/p>\n
Life Expectancy<\/h2>\n With proper treatment, dogs with Addison\u2019s disease can have a normal life expectancy. Throughout your dog\u2019s life, remember to look out for the symptoms associated with high and low levels of cortisol. If you\u2019re noticing symptoms, that may mean that it\u2019s time to adjust your dog\u2019s hormone replacement therapy to meet their body\u2019s current needs. Remember that a diagnosis of Addison\u2019s is no reason to panic \u2013 your dog is going to go on to live a happy, healthy life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Addison\u2019s Disease in Dogs What is Addison\u2019s Disease? Addison\u2019s disease is a serious but treatable disorder that can occur in dogs, humans, cats, and other mammals. Also known as adrenal insufficiency, it occurs when the adrenal glands (which are located near the kidneys) are unable to function as well as they should. Adrenal glands are…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2852,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Addison's Disease in Dogs - Doodles Daily<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n