Addisons in Dogs http://www.addisonsindogs.com Everything you need for your Addison's dog. Wed, 08 May 2013 18:44:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=396 The Story of Percorten-V http://www.addisonsindogs.com/the-story-of-percorten-v http://www.addisonsindogs.com/the-story-of-percorten-v#comments Mon, 29 Oct 2012 21:03:10 +0000 kenrosellc http://www.addisonsindogs.com/?p=580 If your dog is on Percorten-V, you may be interested to know how this product became available in the first place. In fact, desoxycorticosterone pivalate, or DOCP, was first developed to save human lives. Although Addison’s is uncommon, the seriousness of the disease (i.e. it results in death) prompted research into the disorder. Glucocorticoids and [...]

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]]> If your dog is on Percorten-V, you may be interested to know how this product became available in the first place. In fact, desoxycorticosterone pivalate, or DOCP, was first developed to save human lives. Although Addison’s is uncommon, the seriousness of the disease (i.e. it results in death) prompted research into the disorder.

Glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids were developed in the 1930s to treat Addison’s disease in humans. Shortly after, DOCP became commercially available. Addison’s sufferer President John F Kennedy used to inject DOCP every 25 days. during the time that DOCP was being used in humans, veterinarians were using it “off label” to treat dogs. When an oral drug was developed in the 1960s for Addison’s in humans, sales of DOCP dropped so low that the drug’s manufacturer, Ciba-Geigy, discontinued manufacturing it.

When distribution of the drug stopped, veterinarians complained bitterly. It wasn’t just veterinarians who complained — President Reagan’s dog (actually his daughter’s dog) was receiving DOCP injections and he was dismayed when the drug was discontinued.

Ciba-Geigy Animal Health understood that dogs could die without the medication, so applied for a special license from the FDA, called an Investigational New Animal Drug Status. The FDA gave the company permission to dispense the drug for compassionate use. For nine years afterwards, Ciba-Geigy / Novartis conducted research trials into the drug’s effectiveness for canine hypoadrenocorticism.

In 1998, the FDA granted Novartis approval to market Percorten-V in dogs. The suffix “V” indicates the drug is for veterinary use. Florinef — the tablet developed for use in human Addison’s, is available “off-label” in the US, meaning that veterinarians sometimes prescribe it although it is not FDA approved for veterinary use.

Why is Percorten-V so expensive?

Addison’s disease affects a small number of dogs, so only a tiny amount of Percorten-V is manufactured each year. In addition, the hormone, obtained from natural sources, has to undergo a complex chemical process to become Percorten-V. Each production lot must be rigorously tested to meet strict safety standards.

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]]> http://www.addisonsindogs.com/the-story-of-percorten-v/feed 2 Canine Addison’s Disease: Does Your Dog Need Prednisone? http://www.addisonsindogs.com/canine-addisons-disease-does-your-dog-need-prednisone http://www.addisonsindogs.com/canine-addisons-disease-does-your-dog-need-prednisone#comments Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:34:14 +0000 kenrosellc http://www.addisonsindogs.com/?p=574 When my border collie, Shakti, was first treated for canine Addison’s disease. the veterinarian recommended 20mg of prednisone daily, in addition to her monthly shots of Percorten-V.  She had adverse skin reactions to the prednisone, but after reducing her dose to 2.5mg/day, her skin healed and she’s doing great. However, that begs the question: how [...]

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]]> When my border collie, Shakti, was first treated for canine Addison’s disease. the veterinarian recommended 20mg of prednisone daily, in addition to her monthly shots of Percorten-V.  She had adverse skin reactions to the prednisone, but after reducing her dose to 2.5mg/day, her skin healed and she’s doing great. However, that begs the question: how much prednisone does your dog need and in fact – does your dog need prednisone at all? If you search the internet, you’ll find a variety of answers. Some suggest that you don’t need to administer prednisone at all, others (like the Novartis website) state that prednisone is very necessary. Here are the facts:

1. Each dog is different, and almost every case of canine Addison’s disease is different (that’s part of the reason why canine Addison’s disease is so hard to diagnose in the first place).

2. Percorten-V (or Florinef) only replaces the mineralcorticoid hormones. In order to replace glucocorticoids, your dog must be given prednisone. According to the Novartis website, the question isn’t if but how much.

3. The only way to accurately prescribe a dose of prednisone is by having regular blood tests (to check for electrolytes). While regular blood tests in the beginning can be expensive, they are practically mandatory for finding the lowest possible “maintenance dose” for your pet. Why is it important to find a maintenance dose? Too much prednisone, and your dog could suffer a host of unpleasant side effects like hair loss and skin infections; too little prednisone and your pet could be in danger of suffering an Addisonian crash, which could be fatal.

4. Failure to give dogs with Addison’s a glucocorticoid replacement is the number one reason why treatment can fail. If your pet is depressed, lethargic or vomits and has diarrhea, those are all signs of glucocorticoid deficiency.

In essence, make sure you give your dog both glucocorticoid and mineralcorticoid replacements. It is the rare dog that is able to survive without glucocorticoid replacement. Failing to give your dog prednisone is dangerous and not advisable.

 

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]]> http://www.addisonsindogs.com/canine-addisons-disease-does-your-dog-need-prednisone/feed 0 History of Addison’s Disease in Dogs http://www.addisonsindogs.com/history-of-addisons-disease-in-dogs http://www.addisonsindogs.com/history-of-addisons-disease-in-dogs#comments Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:31:06 +0000 kenrose http://www.addisonsindogs.com/?p=99 Hypoadrenocorticism, or Addison’s disease in dogs, is a disorder or the endocrine system where a dog’s adrenal glands don’t produce enough cortisol to support normal bodily functions like heart rate and electrolyte balance.  Although Addison’s disease was first discovered in 1849 by Thomas Addison, the first case of Addison’s disease in dogs wasn’t discovered until [...]

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]]> Hypoadrenocorticism, or Addison’s disease in dogs, is a disorder or the endocrine system where a dog’s adrenal glands don’t produce enough cortisol to support normal bodily functions like heart rate and electrolyte balance.  Although Addison’s disease was first discovered in 1849 by Thomas Addison, the first case of Addison’s disease in dogs wasn’t discovered until a hundred years later, in 1953.

Addison’s disease in dogs is known in the medical field as hypoadrenocorticism: “Hypo” is a prefix that means “under”, “adreno” refers to the adrenal glands and “corticism” refers to cortisone — a steroid released by the adrenal glands. In other words, hypoadrenocorticism means that your dog isn’t producing enough hormones (glucocorticoids, mineralcorticoids and androgens) to keep bodily functions working normally.  The condition is also known as adrenal insufficiency and adrenocorticol hypofunction.

History of the Disease

1849: Dr Thomas Addison first described Addison’s disease in humans.

1856-1858: Charles-Edouard Brown-Sequard and Claude Bernard Experiments on animals showed that the removal of the adrenal glands resulted in death. Death would not happen if only one adrenal was removed, and a blood transfusion kept animals alive for some time, suggesting to the scientists that the adrenals secreted hormones necessary for life.

1953: Addison’s disease in dogs first reported in the literature.

1970s: Articles on Addison’s disease in dogs began to appear in veterinary journals.

1980s: Cases of Addison’s disease in cats were reported in the veterinary journals.

What this means to You, as an Owner of an Addison’s Dog

As you can see, although Addison’s disease has been recognized for over 150 years, canine Addison’s disease is a relatively new disease to the field of medicine. Therefore, research is still being conducted into the causes and proper treatment options for the disorder. This information means that you, as a pet owner, need to work with your veterinarian to find the best treatment plan for your pet. There’s no “one-medicine-fits-all” approach, and new information about diagnosis and treatment is being discovered almost every year. Keep up to date with your treatment options, and if your dog is still having symptoms after being treated, discuss those symptoms with you veterinarian so that your dog’s treatment plan can be adjusted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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]]> http://www.addisonsindogs.com/history-of-addisons-disease-in-dogs/feed 0 Pseudo- Addison’s Disease in Dogs Associated with Trichuris Vulpis http://www.addisonsindogs.com/pseudo-addisons-disease-in-dogs-associated-with-trichuris-vulpis http://www.addisonsindogs.com/pseudo-addisons-disease-in-dogs-associated-with-trichuris-vulpis#comments Mon, 01 Oct 2012 21:52:19 +0000 kenrosellc http://www.addisonsindogs.com/?p=563 Addison’s disease in dogs is usually caused bya malfunction in either the pituitary gland or the adrenal glands. However, rare cases have documented other causes, including barbiturate poisoning and parasite infestation. When these “pseudo-Addison’s causes are treated, the dog normally returns to full health and will not need to be treated with replacement corticosteroids. Perhaps [...]

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]]> Addison’s disease in dogs is usually caused bya malfunction in either the pituitary gland or the adrenal glands. However, rare cases have documented other causes, including barbiturate poisoning and parasite infestation. When these “pseudo-Addison’s
causes are treated, the dog normally returns to full health and will not need to be treated with replacement corticosteroids. Perhaps one of the most unusual cases of pseudo-Addison’s disease was in a dog that contracted a Trichuris Vilpus infection.

What is Trichuris Vulpis?

Trichuris vulpis, or whipworm, is a type of parasite that infests the large intestine of dogs. The head of the worm is embedded in the mucosa (the intestinal lining), where it looks for blood and fluid. Most cases of Trichuris vulpis infections have no symptoms, but a large amount of worms in the intestine may cause hemorrhagic colitis and pesudo-Addison’s disease. Trichuris vulpis appears to be the only parasite documented to cause Addison’s disease in dogs.

Case of Pseudo Addison’s

One veterinarian reported an eight-year-old Rottweiler mix who arrived at the veterinary clinic with symptoms of Addison’s disease: intermittent vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, weight loss and dysorexia (diminished appetite).  Blood tests revealed further signs of Addison’s: hyponatremia (sodium 132 mmol/L; reference interval: 140 to 155 mmol/L), hyperkalemia (potassium 5.7 mmol/L; reference interval: 3.8 to 5.2 mmol/L), and  a decreased sodium/potassium (Na : K) ratio. However the ACTH test showed negative for Addison’s disease in dogs. Whipworms were discovered only after a bowel irrigation with saline solution found whipworms and whipworm eggs.

Three days after treatment for whipworms, the dog had improved slightly. One month after treatment, the dog fully recovered. Whipworms is a very uncommon cause for Addison’s disease, but when any dog presents with electrolyte imbalances, veterinarians should rule out intestinal parasites as the cause with a fecal examination via centrifugation (a more accurate way of looking for parasites than the usual direct smear test).

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]]> http://www.addisonsindogs.com/pseudo-addisons-disease-in-dogs-associated-with-trichuris-vulpis/feed 0 Addison’s Disease in Dogs — Update on Shakti http://www.addisonsindogs.com/addisons-disease-in-dogs-update-on-shakti http://www.addisonsindogs.com/addisons-disease-in-dogs-update-on-shakti#comments Tue, 25 Sep 2012 22:07:48 +0000 kenrosellc http://www.addisonsindogs.com/?p=560 Our border collie, Shakti, was diagnosed with Addison’s disease in dogs about four years ago. We went through some tremendously stressful (and expensive) veterinary visits, including an Addisonian crash, several visits to a specialist to combat side effects of prednisone, and then of course there are the monthly shots. The fact of the matter is, [...]

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]]> Our border collie, Shakti, was diagnosed with Addison’s disease in dogs about four years ago. We went through some tremendously stressful (and expensive) veterinary visits, including an Addisonian crash, several visits to a specialist to combat side effects of prednisone, and then of course there are the monthly shots.

The fact of the matter is, that Shakti’s treatment did initially not go well! Why? Well, think about the illness from the perspective of a human with Addison’s disease. If you’re taking medications and those medications are making you sick with side-effects, you’ll tell your doctor about it. Your blood work might be wonderful, but if you’re suffering from itchy skin or nausea, you’ll let your doctor know so that maybe he can adjust your meds. It took me a while to realize that although Shakti’s blood tests were great — she was certainly not. But — of course — she was unable to tell us what exactly was wrong. So it was up to me to “listen” to her.

A year or so into treatment, Shakti was getting Percorten shots every 25 days and prednisone (20mg) every day. When her hair started to fall out and red rashes appeared on her skin, her vet referred us to a specialist, who in turn referred us to a dermatologist. When the bills started to get out of hand (and Shakti’s health did not improve), I took matters into my own hands and adjusted her medications myself (after a lot of research into the meds). Slowly, we reduced the prednisone from 20mg a day to 2.5 mg a day. Her coat started to grow back, and now she has a beautifully thick, shiny and fluffy coat. She’s also got her energy back, and we frequently go on long walks (something she couldn’t do before). Additionally, I adjusted her Percorten schedule. Instead of going religiously every 25 days, I watch her for signs that she’s not feeling good. For example, she might vomit unexpectedly or act lethargic. I take her to the vet the same day for her shot, which usually means around day 28-31.

My vet is in agreement with this schedule. It sounds a little drastic (to wait until she looks unwell or vomits) to take her for a shot, but consider what she was acting like years ago before we made the decision to adjust her schedule so that she received the minimum amount of medications to remain healthy. Despite great blood work and a consistent drug regime, she was exhibiting classic signs of Addison’s disease in dogs and side effects from her medications:

  • Stomach problems including diarrhea, frequent trips to the bathroom, nausea and vomiting. These episodes were frequent — sometimes weekly (especially the vomiting).
  • Hair loss, bald patches, red rashes on skin

Now we’re down to a single side effect — very infrequent (perhaps once a month) nausea and vomiting.

You know your pet best. Take note of how they are acting, what their signs and symptoms are, and research all of the medications they are taking for Addison’s disease. Addison’s disease in dogs is not a common disease for veterinarians to deal with. They perhaps have one or two clients on their books with the disease. So they have to resort to literature to decide on a treatment plan, rather than their own experience or expertise. You know your pet best! By all means work with your vet to decide on a treatment plan, but ultimately, your pet is depending on you to feel better!

 

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]]> http://www.addisonsindogs.com/addisons-disease-in-dogs-update-on-shakti/feed 4 Non-Herbal Supplements for Addison Dogs http://www.addisonsindogs.com/non-herbal-supplements-for-addison-dogs http://www.addisonsindogs.com/non-herbal-supplements-for-addison-dogs#comments Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:23:35 +0000 kenrosellc http://www.addisonsindogs.com/?p=550 Addison dogs should be a fed a nutritious, complete diet. Most commercial dog foods are not suitable for Addison dogs (see this article on diet for Addison dogs to find out why). In addition to feeding a natural diet, some supplements can help your dog’s condition. In addition to herbal supplements, a variety of non-herbal [...]

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]]> Addison dogs should be a fed a nutritious, complete diet. Most commercial dog foods are not suitable for Addison dogs (see this article on diet for Addison dogs to find out why). In addition to feeding a natural diet, some supplements can help your dog’s condition. In addition to herbal supplements, a variety of non-herbal supplements can be given to improve your pet’s health.

Melatonin

Melatonin is naturally produced in the pineal gland. The hormone is responsible for the well-being of many bodily functions including setting the body clock (sleep and wake times). Melatonin has a calming effect, so you can use it to calm your pet when a thunderstorm strikes or on a stressful car journey. It does have a drowsiness effect.

Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics

Both products can be used to help your pet’s body break down and use food more efficiently. Digestive enzymes can be helpful to prevent gas, and it may also lead to smaller stool size (if your Addison’s dog has abnormally large stools). Probiotics can prevent diarrhea, treat GI infections and reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Fish Oil

Fish oil can be especially beneficial to Addison dogs because it may help improve your pet’s immune system. Use salmon or fish oil, not cod liver oil (cod liver oil carries a risk of overdose).

Glandulars

Adrenal glandulars –obtained from animals — were the original treatment for Addison’s disease. Florinef and DOCP are synthetic versions of this hormone. Dogs with Addison’s disease have weakened immune systems; Providing glandulars as a supplement can bolster your pet’s ability to regenerate glands and organs.

Colustrum

Most cases of diarrhea can be treated with colustrum, which is a pre-milk substance obtained from cows. Colustrum can also be given to help boost the immune system. Colustrum should be given in very small amounts to prevent side effects, which can include diarrhea and vomiting.

 

 

 

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]]> http://www.addisonsindogs.com/non-herbal-supplements-for-addison-dogs/feed 0 Dental Care for Addison’s Disease in Dogs http://www.addisonsindogs.com/dental-care-for-addisons-disease-in-dogs http://www.addisonsindogs.com/dental-care-for-addisons-disease-in-dogs#comments Tue, 11 Sep 2012 19:01:34 +0000 kenrosellc http://www.addisonsindogs.com/?p=546 Dental care is important for your pet. A dental cleaning — both above and below your pet’s gum line — leaves your pet with health gums and clean teeth. The procedure can prevent serious bacterial infections resulting from tooth decay and periodontitis.  In addition, some pets may need immediate dental treatment, for broken teeth or [...]

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]]> Dental care is important for your pet. A dental cleaning — both above and below your pet’s gum line — leaves your pet with health gums and clean teeth. The procedure can prevent serious bacterial infections resulting from tooth decay and periodontitis.  In addition, some pets may need immediate dental treatment, for broken teeth or abscesses.  However, procedures that require general anesthesia can be dangerous for dogs with Addison’s disease.

Why is General Anesthesia Dangerous for Addison’s Disease in Dogs?

During a stressful event like surgery, the adrenal glands will increase cortisol production as a defense mechanism against the stress. For dogs with Addison’s disease, this increase in cortisol does not happen, which can lead to dangerous fluid imbalances, heart rhythm problems or even an Addisonian crisis. While injections of hydrocortisone and saline can help your pet deal with the stress of surgery, it isn’t an exact science and can therefore be a risky undertaking.

What if my Dog Really Needs Dental Treatment?

If you live on the West Coast or mid-central United States, check out this website, which has a list of holistic veterinarians that perform dental cleanings and some dental procedures without general anesthesia. Instruments and techniques are introduced gradually so that your pet remains comfortable throughout the procedure — this is vital for dogs with Addison’s disease, as stress can kill. If you aren’t in these areas, call around your local veterinary offices to try to locate an independent holistic vet in your area.

Some dogs may need general anesthesia, especially if they have advanced oral health problems like gum disease, oral tumors or stomatitis — an inflammation of the mucous lining in the mouth. In these severe cases, you need to weigh the risks of dental treatment with the risks of general anesthesia for your pet. At a minimum, the vet performing the oral surgery should be intimately familiar with Addison’s disease in dogs.

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]]> http://www.addisonsindogs.com/dental-care-for-addisons-disease-in-dogs/feed 0 Herbs for Addisons in Dogs http://www.addisonsindogs.com/herbs-for-addisons-in-dogs http://www.addisonsindogs.com/herbs-for-addisons-in-dogs#comments Tue, 04 Sep 2012 16:22:50 +0000 kenrosellc http://www.addisonsindogs.com/?p=538 Two branches of medicine exist: allopathic and naturopathic medicine. Allopathic medicine is the medicine we’re used to in the Western world–you get sick, go to the doctor and the doctor writes a prescription. However, naturopathic medicine uses natural substances — like herbs — to treat many ailments. Herbs can prevent pest infestations, relieve an upset [...]

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]]> Two branches of medicine exist: allopathic and naturopathic medicine. Allopathic medicine is the medicine we’re used to in the Western world–you get sick, go to the doctor and the doctor writes a prescription. However, naturopathic medicine uses natural substances — like herbs — to treat many ailments. Herbs can prevent pest infestations, relieve an upset stomach, or decrease stress. Addisons in dogs has to be treated with artificial hormone replacement from a veterinarian. However, you can employ herbs to deal with other health issues that crop up. Why use herbs? Addison’s dogs are more likely to have a reaction to traditional medicine, and are not able to cope with stressors (like stomach upsets) in the same way that a healthy dog can.

Herbal medicine goes back to the eighteenth century, when the chemical digitalis was extracted from foxglove — a deadly plant in high doses. This herbal extraction was the birth of modern medicine.  Although herbs dropped into the background, there are many naturopathic, or holistic veterinarians who use herbs in their practice. Herbs are not only generally safer, they tend to act more slowly as well. The following herbs can be used to treat ailments — make sure your vet is aware of which herbs you are using, because some herbs can interfere with medications and blood tests.

Bilberry

Bilberry has been used in some cases to cure cataracts.

Chamomile

Chamomile tea can soothe upset stomachs or to calm thunderstorm fears.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper can stop bleeding in an emergency — apply it directly to the wound. It can also soothe toothaches — rub into the affected tooth and gum.

Dandelion

Dandelion very high levels of potassium, and is good for liver health.

Garlic

Garlic has a variety of uses including as an antibiotic, an astringent, an immune system booster, antibiotic, and as a digestive tract cleanser.

Ginger

Ginger can help with motion sickness, if given before car rides.

Hawthorn

Hawthorn has been shown to halt the progress of, or even completely eradicate, heart disease.

Rosemary

Rosemary tea can help soothe flaky, eczema-type skin issues. Apply as a rinse to your pet’s coat and skin.

Notes on Dosage:

“Clark’s Rule” is used for pediatric dosing — it can also be applied to dogs. If you are not sure about how much of a herb to give to your dog, follow these steps:

1. Weigh your dog (in pounds)

2. Divide your dogs weight by 150. For example, if your dog weighs 50 pounds then 50/150 = 0.333.

3. Multiply the stated dose by the amount you calculated in step 2.  For example, if the stated dose is 10 drops for an adult, then you would give a 50 pound dog 0.333 * 10 = 3 1/3 drops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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]]> http://www.addisonsindogs.com/herbs-for-addisons-in-dogs/feed 0 ACTH Test Result in Addison’s Disease in Dogs http://www.addisonsindogs.com/acth-test-result-in-addisons-disease-in-dogs http://www.addisonsindogs.com/acth-test-result-in-addisons-disease-in-dogs#comments Mon, 27 Aug 2012 23:26:59 +0000 kenrosellc http://www.addisonsindogs.com/?p=532 While low potassium-sodium levels in dogs can indicate Addison’s disease (along with a plethora of other diseases), the only test that definitively can diagnose Addison’s disease in dogs (hypoadrencorticism) is an ACTH test, also known as a repository corticotropin injection. The injection stimulates an increase in cortisol plasma concentration. The test is useful in diagnosing [...]

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]]> While low potassium-sodium levels in dogs can indicate Addison’s disease (along with a plethora of other diseases), the only test that definitively can diagnose Addison’s disease in dogs (hypoadrencorticism) is an ACTH test, also known as a repository corticotropin injection. The injection stimulates an increase in cortisol plasma concentration. The test is useful in diagnosing Addison’s disease in dogs because there is a large difference in magnitude of cortisol plasma concentrations between dogs with Addison’s disease and those dogs without the disease.

What is ACTH?

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), also called corticotropin, is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. The hormone stimulates the adrenal cortex (located either side of the kidneys) to produce corticol hormones. Corticol hormones have many functions in the body, including the level of sodium excreted into the urine, and maintaining blood volume and blood pressure.

How is The ACTH Stimulation Test Given?

The ACTH test is given as an intramuscular (i.e. into the muscle) injection at a dosage of one unit per pound of body weight. Blood samples are collected before the test and two hours after the test is given to determine the difference in cortisol plasma concentrations. In order to ensure reliable results from the test, cortisone, prednisolone or prednisone administration should be discontinued two or three days before the ACTH test.

What do the Results of the ACTH Test Mean?

Addison’s disease in dogs is diagnosed if the post-injection blood sample shows that the cortisol concentration is abnormally low. Normal post-test cortisol concentrations are between 6 and 17 µg/dl, and cortisol concentrations > or = 20 µg/dl.

The test can diagnose Addison’s disease in dogs. However, the test cannot differentiate between pituitary-dependent Addison’s or adrenocortical tumors. Therefore, further tests — such as the high dexamethasone suppression test or a test to determine the endogenous plasma ACTH may be needed.

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]]> http://www.addisonsindogs.com/acth-test-result-in-addisons-disease-in-dogs/feed 0 Is Addison’s Disease in Dogs Genetic or Inherited? http://www.addisonsindogs.com/is-addisons-disease-in-dogs-genetic-or-inherited http://www.addisonsindogs.com/is-addisons-disease-in-dogs-genetic-or-inherited#comments Wed, 22 Aug 2012 15:45:45 +0000 kenrosellc http://www.addisonsindogs.com/?p=521 Is Addison’s disease in dogs genetic? Yes, but exactly how the disease is transmitted has not been discovered yet. some researchers think that Addison’s disease in dogs may occur because of a combination of both genetics and environmental factors. Research projects are currently being undertaken to try and determine the genetic markers involved in the [...]

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]]> Is Addison’s disease in dogs genetic? Yes, but exactly how the disease is transmitted has not been discovered yet. some researchers think that Addison’s disease in dogs may occur because of a combination of both genetics and environmental factors. Research projects are currently being undertaken to try and determine the genetic markers involved in the disease with the hope that someday, there will be a test available to identify the genetic marker that predisposes a dog to Addison’s. Knowing which genetic markers are responsible for the disease will allow dog breeders to only breed unaffected dogs — therefore improving the overall health of that breed. If you have an Addison’s dog, you may be able to participate in a research study.

Addison’s disease in dogs Genetic: CGAP at UC Davis

The CGAP project at UC Davis is currently accepting blood samples from both affected and unaffected Bearded Collies, Great Danes, Leonbergers, Portuguese Water Dogs, Standard Poodles, and West Highland White Terriers. If you own one of these breeds and have a confirmed diagnosis at any age, check the CGAP at UC Davis website for instructions on how to submit a sample. Samples are also being collected for dogs over the age of seven who are disease free. There is no charge for study participation, although you will be responsible for blood collection and shipping charges. Ask your vet if they will take a blood sample for free — many vets will do this if you tell them it’s for research purposes.

Addison’s Disease in Dogs Genetic: American Kennel Club Research Website

The American Kennel Club maintains a list of current research projects. Check their Addison’s in dogs page for details about the disease and current research projects. Scroll down to the very end of the page and you’ll see a list of current projects being undertaken to find affected genetic markers.

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]]> http://www.addisonsindogs.com/is-addisons-disease-in-dogs-genetic-or-inherited/feed 0