Canine Addison’s Disease Symptoms
Posted: July 22, 2009 Filed under: Symptoms 23 Comments »Canine Addison’s disease symptoms can be so nonspecific that they are commonly misdiagnosed (even by veterinarians!) for other diseases. That’s why it’s so important to take your dog to the vet when they are ill–something as simple as an upset stomach could be something much more serious.
Dogs with canine Addison’s disease might at first appear to have a gastrointestinal disease–they might be vomiting, have diarrhea and a poor appetite. You might also notice that they drink more frequently and urinate more often. The signs may be so vague that you don’t notice any signs at all–that is until they have an Addisonian crisis and collapse. A dog can go from being fine to having an Addisonian crisis in just a few hours: this is a life-threatening emergency.
Unfortunately, these signs can also indicate a host of other disorders. When I took my dog, Shakti, to the vet with weakness and a refusal to eat, the vet thought it was viral. Two days later, Shakti went into a full-blown Addisonian crisis and nearly died. This is a common mistake for vets to make: in a small practice a vet might only see one or two cases of Canine Addison’s disease in a year and a hundred cases of gastrointestinal viruses.
The only way that your vet can test for Addison’s is to perform an ACTH test. At time of writing (7-2009), an ACTH test will cost upwards of $70–just for the vial to perform the test. But it could save your dogs life.
The vast majority of dogs with canine Addison’s disease who go to a veterinarian for treatment will be in serious condition, with severe symptoms like lethargy, depression, and poor or no appetite. Your dog will also likely be vomiting, weak, and might have lost weight. Many dogs will be dehydrated and have diarrhea. Some might have collapsed, have a weak pulse or a slow heart rate (bradycardia), or show a slow capillary refill time (to measure capillary refill time, press a thumb firmly on your dogs gum for about 5 seconds. Release the thumb and count: the amount of time it takes the gum to return to normal should be about 1 second).
I came to learn that a very important diagnostic clue is if your dog has a history of illness in the past where they get ill when stressed and get better with rest or a simple therapy like IV fluids. Before she came to live with us, Shakti was dumped at a vet by her previous owners (see Shakti, Our Addison’s Dog) and left for dead by her heartless owners. She responded well to IV therapy at the veterinarians and made a 100% recovery from what was presumed to be a poisoning. Looking back, this could have been the first sign of Addison’s, and I can only guess at what stressed her out before she was dumped.
A small percentage of dogs may also have black, tarry stools (melena) or they may be vomiting blood (hematemesis). Again, this can be easily mistaken for a gastrointestinal disorder or even anorexia. At first, it might seem that your dog has acute renal failure, liver disease, insulinoma, or hypothyroidism. Rarely, some dogs will have seizures due to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Is it any wonder that Addison’s disease has been called “The Great Pretender”?
[...] Whatever breed of dog you own, you should be aware of the symptoms of Addison’s disease—it could strike any dog, at any time. Seek immediate veterinary attention if your dog shows any symptoms of Addison’s disease. [...]
i just lost my siberian husky to addison’s disease in july. she was diagnosed at 12 weeks old and only lived to see her third birthday. she showed no signs of sickness at all after being regulated for three years. then one day i came home and i suppose she had an addisonian crisis while i was at work and she had passed away. i am still devistated. we spent several thousand dollars on her trying to save her.. and in the end.. we only prolonged the enevitable.
Christa, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Losing a dog is devastating, I know. My thoughts are with you!
I just wanted to tell everyone my dog became ill just a few months ago with Addidon’s Disease and it was really hard
be became very ill quickly. I didn’t know what to do, we took him to the vets he just wouldn’t eat or drink. I had to force feed him. I really thought he wasn’t gonna make
it. I gave him lots of care and love and hand fed him and water to into him. The vet starting on the medicine and what a difference, he’s doing so well, he has lots
of energy and feels so much better. He a very happy dog. Jasper is our world.
I have a male basset hound age 2 with Addisons. I worry about him so much. My vet was very smart in spotting what was wrong with him. He is doing pretty good. His eats well and plays but in the evening he shakes when he is sleeping. Not like he is dreaming, this is different. He takes three floicef in the morning and three in the evening. He weights 55 lbs. He also takes from one to five predisone each day, depending on the stress level. I pray he will be ok. I have another Basset that is his companion. They are so cute together. This is a hard thing to have happen to such a sweet living thing.
Poor little guy! When our girl started her hormones, we had to experiment a little to get it right–at first we were giving her too much. When we reduced the dosage, her beautiful coat grew back and she had all her energy.
I too have a 3 year old dog with Addisons. she was diagnosed a year ago and has been fine till the end of November and she crashed. We got her well again but everytime she does anything different like sticking her tongue out for no reason I get nervous. We have spent about $3000 on her because she is always in a bad state by the time I take her in. I was told that one lady could tell her dog was having an episode because the dog would start to shake. Are there any signs to look for before we hit crisis?
Yes, I can tell mine is not feeling good because she starts to shiver. Only you can know your dog though…look for signs of depression or lethargy too. I give her an extra pill (on my vet’s advice) when she shows any symptoms of being low.
My wee 7yr old Maltese Affenpinscher cross girl was diagnosed a week ago with Addisons. Always picky with her eating and at times has hidden herself under our bed for no reason, been a “shaking toy dog” all her life, I wonder if this has been there for some time. She had all the general symptoms above last week including bloody diarrhoea and collapsed. Started on meds but slow improvement then siezures 4 days later and also diagnosed with Hypoparathyroidism on top of the Addisons. she is almost back to normal today with treatment for both. Do you know if this is sometimes the case where these two go hand in hand.
Liz,
I’m sure the two can go hand in hand but I don’t think it’s common. Glad you got an answer for those “shakes”!
Stephanie
My dog Chelsea (Husky/Sheppard) was diagnosed 3 yrs ago. She still goes through bouts from time to time. No appetite, no water, no desire to come to you, no desire to move anywhere, weight loss, dehydration…all could be symptoms of many issues..but all point to some level of shock the body is going through.. Chelsea takes Pred x 1 and Flor x 5 a day. When she has had a crisis before, I’ve taken her in, where they inject her with steroids to jump start her electrolytes and IV immediately for hydration. It’s this initial “shocking” the system that brings back her levels of electrolytes… she appears very, very sick when I drop her off. After an overnight stay it appears as though nothing has happened but a little tiredness.
If you suspect your dog is going into a crisis again, don’t delay in getting those liquids in…it may save an emergency visit..but more importantly the life of your pet!! The electrolytes are SO important in Addisone’s..it can cause a complete failure.. lots of love to all the animal lovers who care for their pets in stress
I am completely heartbroken to have recently figured out that I think my vet misdiagnoised my 10 yer JR terrier with Renal Failure instead of Addisons. We treated him for 2 months and he was only getting worse. He was miserable and I put him down on two days ago. I just happened to be watching some doctor drama show on this evening while I was sulking on the couch and one of the stories was about a man who they disagoised with Addisons disease as the clincher. I had never heard of it. The vet never mentioned of tested for it. I did research on renal failure and the hypothroidism which my dog also had. Yet, there was never a mention of how often Addisons is mixed up with Renal Failure the Renal Failure Sites. You had to know to look for Addisons sites and the confusion was mentioned there. When I heard the symptoms on the TV and then read all the symptoms about Dogs on the Web, they fit him to a T. Even to the fact that he was having tremors in the waiting room and he couched up blood during the first shot. The back leg weakness, the initial positive response to IV, the blood in stool. How am I ever going to forgive myself? Why didn’t my vet even offer this as option since he was also hypothyroid. Why didn’t I get a secong opinion? I am truly at a loss how this could happen. I do not know I am going to get over my mistake.
I was just reading this post now, and felt compelled to respond. I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and all. It was NEVER your mistake. It was the vets mistake in not taking the extra precaution in testing for this. That is what they are TRAINED for. Apparently, though, I’m learning, many vets do overlook addison’s. Mine did, as well, when my dog was 2 years old. I had brought her in because of urine output, lethergy (almost looked depressed), would not eat or drink, was trembling, etc. They did testing, and I came home the next day from work to a voicemail from them stating re: the test results, they thought her kidneys were starting to fail. When I attempted to call back, they were CLOSED. With a message like that, of course, I rushed several towns away to a 24 hour animal hospital. THEY were the ones who pumped her full of IV fluids, and THEY were the ones who suggested she be tested for Addison’s. Sure enough, she tested positive. At the time I had initially brought her in, she was going through crisis. She gets her shot every month still, and is finally down to prednisone every other day now (more at stressful times), as well, but still has crisis now and then. Just came back from vacation w/her 2 days ago, and I was at the vets upon return again; the poor little sweetie. She’s such a little trooper. They all are. Anyway, I hope you still don’t blame yourself. We trust our vets like we do our own docs who have special training. Unfortunately, sometimes they get it wrong, too, and there is just not enough training in that area, it seems. I hope you are healing,and remembering only the most beautiful times together w/your dog. They really are one of the most precious blessings in our lives.
I have a 2.5 pound Maltese whom was diagnosed last yr with Addisons after a terrible seizure. I had to perform CPR to get her back as she was not breathing when I found her on the floor.
Rushed her to my vet, we did the blood tests and this time it showed pos for Addisons, every other time it didnt
Well tonight she is shaking, week, depressed so I am just waiting for the seizure to hit.
I have her Nutrical and all natural honey ready.
Her stomach is distended and sore so I know one is on the way.
Poor baby is just lying on the floor looking so sad. Not at all acting normal
She sounds like she’s not on the right dosage of meds. The first sign of the shakes (it doesn’t happen very often with mine) and I pop a 5mg pred on a cookie. After that, she’s fine. We’ve got it fine tuned…!
I’d suggest seeing your vet for a possible med adjustment.
Good luck!
Stephanie
My 9 yr old Englsh sheepdog has had an MRI, spinal tp, ct scan of hips, sonar and endless blood tests nd still they have no ideas about why he is weak in rear, seems disoriented, paces, hard time up and down. Could this be Addison’s
It’s hard to say — Addison’s is the “great pretender” because it mimics so many other diseases. The only way to tell is to ask your vet for an ACTH test.
Good luck!
Stephanie
Our year old, soft coated wheaten died today. He was at the vet over night while they were determining if he had Addison’s Disease. It was confirmed. They medicated him to help with the disease. Later took, the now perky puppy, out for a walk and he had a seizure and died. I wish I had known about this disease. I would have brought him in sooner.
I took him in two weeks ago and the vet thought he had soft tissue pain. When he ran out of pain pills I brought him back in. He was so lethargic, afraid of every thing and seemed like an old, old dog and not a puppy. So sad.
Carol,
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Stephanie
Ginger, my beagle-shepherd mix was diagnosed at age 6. Originally the vet thought she had premature arthritis or hip dysplasia because she was having back leg weakness. I brought her in 2 weeks later with anorexia, and weakness. (She was giving her kibbles one by one to the cats. This is the dog that eats everything! By everything I mean EVERYTHING.) The vet thought there might be a problem when she checked her ‘lytes and we scheduled the Addison’s test for the next Tuesday when the vial would arrive. Saturday she crashed and ended up at the vet’s until the next Wednesday. She is on 7.5 mg Pred per day and 1.2 ml Percorten V every 3-4 weeks. She is now 14 years old! Last Friday she had the first seizure that I know of. Pretty scary but she came out of it and seems to be no worse for the wear. I called the vet during the seizure but they were ready to close and advised going to the Animal ER. Because of her age the vet and my daughter and I have decided not to go to great lengths any more – just the usual maintenance. I thought I’d be okay with her crossing the Rainbow Bridge but with this last close call, I don’t know anymore. If she starts to have more seizures, I’ll have to make a decision. It’s so hard. She’s been there for me during my own struggles. Ginger is the best dog ever!
Amanda,
I’m so sorry…it must be so hard for you. With the proper meds, your girl should be able to live relatively symptom free.
Regards,
Stephanie
I recently unexpectedly lost my 5 yr old English Bull Terrier, I’m devastated. I’m still awaiting autopsy results but after a little reading here the way he went seems to suggest addisonian crisis – weakness, violent vomiting, diarrhea, sore distended stomach, cool extremities, black tarry stools a week prior.
He had brought up a huge rubber object the day before which, unbeknown to me had been in his stomach for weeks so I and the vet assumed that was why he was weak and lethargic and since, have thought that some form of internal trauma from bringing it up was the cause of death (which it still may be).
He had also been on 5mg pred indefinitely for about 6 months to deal with skin issues but perhaps this was just keeping addisons at bay until the crisis? Are skin problems a symptom of the disease, I haven’t read that anywhere?
I’m really lost and don’t know what to think, I just hope if it was a crisis, the autopsy will show this as it will be a big lesson for both myself and the vet. I know I shouldn’t but I just can’t help blaming my self for being complacent and not pushing the vet. He was in his prime and I feel I owe it to him to find out what went so tragically wrong…
The pred can definitely cause skin problems. My dog had terrible rashes and hair loss until we reduced her dose.
Best of luck,
Stephanie