Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Canine hypoadrenocorticism: part I.
- Journal:
- The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
- Year:
- 2010
- Authors:
- Klein, Susan C & Peterson, Mark E
- Affiliation:
- scklein@hotmail.com
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Hypoadrenocorticism, also known as Addison's disease, is a condition in dogs that can be tricky to diagnose because it shows symptoms similar to many other illnesses. This disease is rare and is more commonly seen in young female dogs. It happens when the dog's immune system mistakenly attacks the adrenal glands, leading to a lack of important hormones like aldosterone and cortisol. Affected dogs can show a wide range of symptoms, from being slightly unwell to being very sick and unable to stand. This article provides an overview of the causes, effects, and signs of Addison's disease in dogs, with a follow-up planned to cover how to diagnose and treat it.
Abstract
Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease) has been referred to as "the great pretender," due to its ability to mimic other common diseases in the dog and thereby represent a diagnostic challenge. Naturally occurring hypoadrenocorticism is an uncommon canine disease. Young, female dogs are overrepresented. Hypoadrenocorticism typically results from immune-mediated destruction of all adrenocortical layers, resulting in deficiencies of min-eralocorticoids (aldosterone) and glucocorticoids (cortisol). A small number of dogs suffer from glucocorticoid deficiency only. Dogs suffering from hypoadrenocorticism may present in a variety of conditions, from a mildly ill dog to a shocky and recumbent dog. This review discusses etiology, pathophysiology, history, physical examination findings, and diagnostic findings in the Addisonian patient. A follow-up article (Part II) will discuss the definitive diagnosis and management strategies for these patients.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20357943/