Addison's Disease in Dogs

This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.

Understanding Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism) in dogs. Covers symptoms, crisis situations, lifelong treatment, and daily management.

Causes and Risk Factors

Multiple factors can contribute to the development of this condition.

• Genetic predisposition: Certain breeds are at higher risk due to inherited traits
• Age: Some conditions are more common in puppies/kittens or senior pets
• Environmental factors: Diet, toxin exposure, stress, and living conditions play a role
• Underlying health issues: Other conditions may increase susceptibility
• Immune system status: Compromised immune function can predispose to disease

Symptoms to Watch For

Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes. Watch for these signs.

• Changes in appetite, water consumption, or weight
• Behavioral changes including lethargy, restlessness, or hiding
• Physical symptoms specific to the affected body system
• Changes in bathroom habits (frequency, appearance, straining)
• Visible discomfort, pain response to touch, or changes in posture
• Respiratory changes, coughing, or labored breathing

Diagnosis

Addison's disease, primary hypoadrenocorticism, is confirmed with an ACTH stimulation test. Cortisol does not rise appropriately after synthetic ACTH. A steroid given before that test makes the result unreadable. A single baseline cortisol can make the disease unlikely, and it does not prove it.

• Chemistry: Hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, azotemia, and sometimes hypoglycemia. Those numbers suggest the crisis. The ACTH stimulation test is the confirmation.
• CBC: A sick dog with Addison's often lacks the white-cell pattern expected in stress.
• Urine: The urine may stay dilute while the blood urea is high, which fits the sodium loss and does not replace the ACTH stimulation test.

Treatment Options

An Addisonian crisis is treated in hospital with intravenous fluids and an injectable glucocorticoid. Afterward the dog needs lifelong replacement of the missing adrenal hormones, a mineralocorticoid and a glucocorticoid, with electrolyte rechecks. The veterinarian chooses both drugs and both doses. Surgery does not restart the adrenal cortex.

Prevention and Management

• Regular veterinary checkups (as recommended by the AVMA for all companion animals) for early detection (annually, or semi-annually for seniors)
• Maintain a healthy weight through proper nutrition and exercise
• Keep vaccinations and preventive medications current
• Breed-specific health screenings recommended by your veterinarian
• Provide a low-stress, enriched environment
• Follow your vet's recommendations for diet and lifestyle modifications

Cost of Treatment

Treatment costs vary based on severity and duration.

Is this condition curable?

Primary hypoadrenocorticism is not cured. The adrenal cortex does not start making cortisol and aldosterone again. Treatment is lifelong replacement: a mineralocorticoid such as DOCP or fludrocortisone plus a glucocorticoid, guided by electrolyte checks. A dog that is stable on that plan can live out a normal lifespan.

How can I afford treatment?

Price Addison's disease as a monthly injection and an electrolyte panel, then multiply by twelve. The crisis hospitalization, with IV fluids before anyone has the diagnosis, is the separate emergency bill. Ask what one DOCP injection and one electrolyte recheck cost at your hospital rather than using a national average. The dose itself comes from those blood results.