How to Manage a Dog's Addison's Disease in the Long-term

Contributor

By Mia Carter
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating: (5 Ratings)

Canine Addison's Disease, or hypoadrenocorticism, is a chronic condition affecting a dog's adrenal glands and the ability to produce corticosteroids (a type of hormone). A dog with Addison's Disease--also called an Addisonian dog--must be properly managed in the long-term, as this condition is dynamic and the disease tends to evolve with time, even on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, a dog who is successfully treated with a particular medication and dosage one month, may require a different treatment the following month. Addison's Disease can be potentially deadly if it is untreated or treated improperly, so it's vital that owners of Addisonian dogs monitor symptoms on a regular basis.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Medication (Prednisone and Percorten-V or Florinef)
Electrolyte testing every six months (minimum)
Veterinarian's exam every six Months (minimum)
Dog health log
Scale to weigh the dog
Three-ring binder with loose leaf paper

Step 1

Understand that there are two basic types of treatment for a dog with Addison's Disease. One approach involves the drug Florinef, which replaces the mineralocorticoids and the glucocorticoids--the two types of corticosteroids that are lacking in a dog with Addison's Disease. Florinef is most commonly provided in pill form every 12 hours. The second approach involves giving Prednisone, which serves to replace the missing glucocorticoids once or twice daily. To replace the body's missing mineralocorticoids, a second drug, Percorten-V, which is also known as DOCP, is given every 28 days by injection. The latter approach is often preferred for long-term management, since it allows for more precise control of this ever-changing condition. For a dog who is having difficulty with Addison's management, the combination of Percorten-V and Prednisone allows for more precise treatment since the two types of missing corticosteroids are replaced with two different drugs instead of just one drug.
Step 2

Keep in mind that dogs with Addison's Disease must be closely monitored for stress. Stress increases the dog's need for corticosteroids, therefore, additional medication (Prednisone) must be provided in times of stress. Stress must be understood from the dog's perspective. Stress can result from a visit to the veterinarian, an illness, an injury, a new pet in the home, a new baby, a visitor to the home, a trip in the car, or even a day left home alone for an extended period of time. In times of stress, the dog will require additional medication to enable the body to cope. Without supplementation, the dog's body can begin to experience imbalance that's known as an Addisonian Crisis, which places even more stress on the body and leading to a steep decline in health that can ultimately lead to shock and death.
Step 3

Know that in the years following diagnosis, a dog with Addison's Disease must have an exam at least every six months to determine if a change in medication dosage is necessary. Electrolyte testing is one common test that is administered to Addisonian patients to determine whether the current medication dosage requires tinkering.
Step 4

Remember that weight must be monitored in the long-term to ensure that the dog's current medication dosage is efficient. A loss or gain of 5 lbs. will require a change in dosage. So check your veterinarian's records to determine the dog's weight at the time of the most recent dosage calculation. Then, weigh the dog on a weekly basis. If the dog loses or gains more than 5 lbs., it's time to contact the veterinarian to determine if a change in medication dosage will be required. This is vital in some patients and not so essential in others, as some Addisonian dogs tend to be more sensitive to small changes and others less so.
Step 5

Keep in mind that a weight log, veterinary test results, medication information and other notes concerning the dog's health should be kept in a dog health journal. A three-ring binder with loose leaf paper is ideal for a dog log. On a weekly basis, record the dog's weight and general condition. Also record the date and time of any incidents affecting a dog's health, along with any observations that may indicate illness, even if it doesn't seem to be directly related to the dog's Addison's Disease. This information is vital when it comes to monitoring a dog's health and the information can be vital to diagnosing problems, particularly if an emergency vet visit is required.
Step 6

Owners of a dog with Addison's Disease should be familiar with the signs of a problem relating to Addison's Disease. Signs of an Addisonian Crisis or Addisonian Shock can include (but are not limited to) lethargy, pale gums, poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sleeping, an unwillingness to walk or play, regurgitation of undigested food, seizure and collapse. Abnormalities in a dog with Addison's Disease should be considered a medical emergency. Do not wait until morning or until the end of a weekend if a dog with Addison's Disease appears unwell because physical decline can occur very rapidly.
Step 7

Learn what is normal for your dog. What is your dog's normal heart rate? What do your dog's gums look like when normal? Understanding what's normal for a dog will help owners detect abnormalities that can indicate a serious problem stemming from Addison's Disease.

How to Manage a Dog's Addison's Disease in the Long-term

Things You'll Need:

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