What does Addison's Disease have to do with Doodles?

What is Addison’s Disease in Dogs? 

Addison’s disease is the layman’s term for hypoadrenocorticism, a lifelong condition that both humans and dogs can develop. 

Addison’s disease is when the adrenal glands stop producing enough hormones for daily living. The adrenal glands secrete cortisone, which helps manage stress, and aldosterone, which balances potassium and sodium (electrolytes) levels in the body. 

How is Addison’s Disease Diagnosed?

Addison’s disease is often diagnosed during an Addisonian crisis at an emergency veterinarian. A crisis is when the hormone levels are so low the dog is suddenly lethargic, with severe vomiting and/or diarrhea, weakness and possibly refusal to eat or drink. An Addisonian crisis is a veterinary emergency. If your vet suspects Addison’s disease, they’ll likely start with bloodwork. Bloodwork showing elevated potassium and low sodium is often the first clue. Addison’s disease is then definitively diagnosed with a test called the ACTH test, which measures the dog’s cortisol level before and after an injection that stimulates the release of cortisol. If the dog is unable to make cortisol in response to the test, they have Addison’s disease. 

What causes Addison’s disease? 

Anything that causes the adrenal glands to stop functioning normally, from autoimmune disease to cancer to trauma, can be at the root of Addison’s disease. Often vets can’t find the root cause. It’s not caused by something that the pet owner did or could have prevented. There is also a suspected genetic component to Addison’s disease, as some breeds have higher risk of developing it. 

What does Addison’s Disease Have to Do with Doodles? 

Standard poodles and labrador retrievers are two of the breeds with a higher risk of developing Addison’s disease. Since many doodles have one or both breeds as part of their mix, doodles are also at higher risk of Addison’s disease. 

How is Addison’s disease treated? 

Once Addison’s disease is diagnosed, it is treated by replacing the hormones the dog can no longer make. In all but one type of Addison’s (the kind brought on by long term steroid use that can be temporary), the condition is lifelong. Treatment in partnership with your vet can focus on getting your dog on their lowest effective dosages to maintain their electrolyte balance and cortisol levels without causing unwanted side effects. For many dogs (including Suki, who is pictured in this post) this looks like a once a month injection of DOCP (brand names Percorten-V or Zycortal) to replace their aldesterone. If your vet is willing to work with you, you can learn to give the monthly DOCP injection at home, which is the most cost effective. Dogs with Addison's also take small daily amounts of prednisone to replace their cortisol. Prednisone is given in pill or liquid form. Addison's dogs also have their electrolytes monitored periodically (done with a blood draw at the vet) to make sure their condition is being managed effectively.

In dogs with well-managed Addison’s disease, the condition becomes invisible and they are able to live completely normal lives as long as they stay on their medication. Addison's medications can be very affordable when the dog is on their lowest effective doses and injections are given at home. This brings treatment costs in line with or in some cases lower than costs for other chronic conditions like allergies, epilepsy and diabetes.