![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Routine laboratory tests often show low blood sodium and high blood potassium. How is Addison’s disease diagnosed?Ī pet’s history, physical examination, and initial laboratory tests can provide suspicion for Addison’s disease, but a more specific test, an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge, should be performed to confirm the disease. Because dogs with Addison’s disease cannot make enough cortisol, they cannot deal with stress, so the signs may occur or worsen when stressed. When a pet is stressed, its adrenal glands produce more cortisol, which helps them deal with the stress. The average age at diagnosis is about 4 years old. The signs of Addison’s disease may be severe and appear suddenly or may occur intermittently and vary in severity. What are some of the symptoms of Addison’s disease?Īddison’s disease occurs most commonly in young to middle-aged female dogs. Adrenal hormones are necessary to control salt, sugar, and water balance in the body.Īddison’s disease occurs less commonly than the opposite condition, Cushing’s disease, which causes the overproduction of cortisol. Addison’s disease, or hypoadrenocorticism, is caused by a lower-than-normal production of hormones, like cortisol, by the adrenal glands, which are small glands located near the kidneys. ![]()
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