INTRODUCTION

Many of the body's functions depend on steroids. The adrenal glands are organs that produce mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids. This production can be impaired or inhibited by various causes, causing the animal to develop different symptoms.

WHAT IS ADDISON'S SYNDROME?

Addison's disease occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones. Addison's disease is usually caused by a problem with the immune system. The immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues and damages the adrenal glands.

WHAT CAUSES ADDISON'S SYNDROME?

The most common type of Addison's disease is autoimmune. The immune system begins to attack and destroy its own tissue (in this case, the adrenal cortex), reducing steroid production until it is completely wiped out. This variant occurs more frequently in certain breeds and is attributed to a possible hereditary origin. These breeds include

• Portuguese Water Dog
• Poodle
• West Highland White Terrier
• Bearded Collie
• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
• Rottweiler
• Leonberger
• Great Dane
• Chinese Crested.

Other reasons for impairment of the adrenal cortex and thus steroid production are tumours and haemorrhages. The cause of the problem may also lie outside the adrenal glands, e.g. weakness or absence of the brain signals which determine the production of hormones from the adrenal glands.

Other described but less frequent causes are infections (blastomycosis, tuberculosis), haemorrhagic glandular infarction, tumour metastasis, trauma and amyloidosis.

SYMPTOMS OF ADDISON'S SYNDROME IN DOGS

Animals afflicted with Addison's disease may show rather non-specific symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• diarrhoea
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss
• Poor blood values
• Darkening of the gums
• Bleeding gums
  
  

CAN ADDISON'S SYNDROME IN DOGS BE TREATED?

Treatment in acute crisis is mainly based on direct injection of a large amount of fluid into the blood, which corrects both severe dehydration and electrolyte disturbance. Cortisone may also be given at this stage. If there is a significant impact on blood pH or significant electrolyte disturbance, specific rectification of this problem may be required. Treatment should be lifelong and is based on tablets containing both mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids. In some cases a supplement of saline tablets should be given to fully correct the salt balance, although this is rare. Dogs treated for Addison's disease can live a normal life, although they are somewhat more susceptible to stressful situations. Additional cortisone may be given for a temporary period. Dogs should be checked repeatedly and frequently at the start of their treatment, but once the situation has stabilised, a few times a year is sufficient.

CONCLUSION

Addison's Syndrome is a chronic disease that requires daily medication and regular check-ups at the vet, but once controlled the dog can lead a completely normal life, just as humans who are also affected by Addison's can lead a completely normal life.