Diet for Addison's

[Lucy's Mom from GA]

My Lucy has just been diagnosed with Addison's today and would like some suggestions for commercial or home-cooked diet suggestions.  She has been on a grain free diet (mostly).  

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sorry to hear about Lucy. I hope you've informed your breeder so that Lucy can help prevent more doodles being bred with this. I don't think you need a special diet if you are treating the Addison's. I think you should look in the food group where you'll find a wealth of information on commercial diets and home cooking.

[Lucy's Mom from GA]

Yes, my breeder is aware of her diagnosis.  I don't think there is a specific diet, vet wants to put her on science diet ID but I don't and the meds are going to increase appetite so I just wanted to get a heads up so she won't get chubby and at the same time the best and healthy diet for her.  Thanks, I will check the food group.

 

[Adina P]

Increased appetite shouldn't cause weight gain unless she sneaks food or you give her extra out of sympathy.  Perhaps a low cal food (see recommendations in Food Group) might be useful for her so she can have a little extra.

[Lucy's Mom from GA]

I should rephrase that, vet said with the prednisone, Lucy will probably gain some weight, just from the medication.  Right now her appetite is great. She actually lost 4 pounds since the weekend because so much vomiting and diarrhea from addison's, but still eating almost every 4 hours.  Will get better, I hope.  Thank You.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I have to jump in here.. as a human who has been tortured with high doses of steroids.... She will eat her toys if her steroid dose is upped really high. I once considered breaking into the kitchen at the hospital to get food I was so hungry, thankfully the nurse came through with food for me..That was not for my addison's thought that was prednisone for my lungs.  I can't stop eating, but that is when I am on high doses of steroids.. In theory. Corteff and Florineff are meant as replacement doses that your body would normally be making so it should not make her more hungry. It is just replacing what it is missing. It may give her her appetite back, but not unusually hungry.

[Lucy's Mom from GA]

Also, with Addison's they have a lot of diarrhea and vomiting and fluid loss.  Potassium levels are high and sodium levels are low.  Electrolytes are really out of whack.  A diet that may help all this might be helpful.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear about Lucy.  What did your Vet suggest?  Are there specific dietary restrictions with Addisons?

[Lucy's Mom from GA]

Thanks, vet just wanted to put on science diet, ID, but we already know we don't want that.  No diet restrictions aware of, just want a healthy diet for her.  The last few days, I have been boiling chicken and rice for her.  She is loving that.  I just can't keep that up $ and her vet charges.  Thanks.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I home cook for my Doodles because they have chronic GI disease.  I've found ways to do it very economically.  I really don't think I spend any more than if I was feeding a good quality kibble.  My guys love ground chicken or turkey, and that is often on sale. I also watch the paper for sales on chicken breasts and when I find a good deal I stock up.  I cook with brown rice or barley which I buy in bulk, and it's very reasonable.  Then I use frozen veggies (also only buy on sale).  I'm not suggesting that home cooking is necessary at this point, but if you do decide to do that for a while I'll be happy to give you some "hints" that I've learned along the way.

[Lucy's Mom from GA]

I also cooked with brown rice.  Would love suggestions or ideas and also what do you do if traveling.  What veggies do they like?    Thanks.

[Jennifer and Jack]

As a human being with Addison's  disease I am not on a special diet, I do however have to take in extra salt on hot days, I take corteff and florineff on a regular basis.... I know for me, I have to watch my electrolytes.. My potassium can go high and my sodium low... I drink  a home made mixuture of apple cider vinegar and salt and water.. I would ask your vet, you want to watch that the dog does not get over stressed or over heated....We can dehydrate much more quickly.

 

I would be curious what your vet says, for me I personally, stay away from carbs

 

A lot of humans as well as dogs do really well as long as they stay on their meds.. I hope Karina chimes in, her dog was recently diagnosed with Addison's too.

 

 

Do

[Becky and Bella]

Our mixed breed had addison's and she felt significantly better on florinef.  She got bitten by a dog (didn't break the skin but overstressed her) and she went into kidney failure and died a few months later.  She loved canned soups (they are high in sodium)  I have a condition where I need a lot of electrolytes too, bouillon cubes dissolved in water is suggested.