Addison's Disease

[Rae]

Anyone else out there with a Doodle that has Addison's Disease? If so we'd like to hear about it and how you and your dood are doing. Bella was 14 months old when she had her Addison's Crisis. She'll be on Predisone daily and having monthly injections for the rest of her life - so this is no small thing.

[Nancy - Opal, Meadow & Tariki]

WOW Pred C alone adds a whole new dimension for even daily care..... no more leaving 'fido' in the house while at work. I know absolutely nothing about Addisons... can you share more about what type of disease this is and what form it takes... symptoms... causes?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Nancy, why do you say that dogs on prednisone can't be left at home when you go to work? My guy has been on prednisone for his atopic dermatitis many times for weeks at a stretch, and he's fine at home alone.
Here's a link that gives all the info on Addison's disease.
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/cliented/addisons.aspx

[Karina]

info is from here - http://www.goldendoodles.com/health_hereditary/addisons_disease.htm

Due to its late expression, lack of DNA testing prior to the actual expression of the disease, and no DNA testing for carrier dogs, an Addison's affected or carrier breeding dog could have a normal undiagnosed breeding life without the knowledge of the breeder.

 

The symptoms of Addison's disease can be vague.  Initially, the dog may be listless, or seem depressed.  Many dogs are described as just seeming off.  Lack of appetite is also an indicator.  Other symptoms include gastro-intestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea.  Pain in the hindquarters, or generalized muscle weakness, such as a dog that can't jump onto the bed as he has done in the past.  Shivering or muscle tremors may also be present.  

 

These symptoms may come and go over months or years making diagnosis difficult.  If the adrenals continue deteriorating, ultimately the dog will have an acute episode called an Addisonian crisis (Potassium levels elevate and disrupt normal function of the heart).  Arrhythmias can result and blood pressure drops to dangerously low levels.  BUN and creatinine levels, generally indicators of kidney function, are often elevated.  At this point many animals are diagnosed with renal failure, as the kidneys are unable to function properly.  Typically animals are given IV solutions for rehydration, which may produce an almost miraculous recovery.  This too, is a great indication that the failure of the adrenals rather than of the kidneys is creating the symptoms.   

 

Explanation and Breeding Strategies

 

The main goal of the Addison's Breeding Strategies below are to guide breeders to never produce any affected puppies, however until DNA testing is available no one can ensure any Poodle or Poodle cross is not a carrier and therefore will not be affected by Addisons.

 

We must rely on two current detection methods:

 

•      Assumed Carrier - Assumed carriers are dogs that have produced Addison's offspring. If a Labradoodle, Australian Labradoodle or Poodle has produced an Addison's offspring it is suggested that the dog no longer be bred.  

 

•      Higher Risk Pedigree - Higher risk pedigrees are those that have the same pedigree lines as those dogs that are assumed carriers, and in many cases have been inbred or line bred thus increasing these higher risk pedigrees in multitude. In addition, higher risk pedigrees have assumed Addisons carriers closer in relation to the current breeding dog, i.e. parent or grandparent. Production of affected dogs should be prevented by ensuring to the best of ones ability at least one parent is not of a higher risk pedigree.  

 

In summary, most of the Australian Labradoodle and Labradoodle breeding stock, even those with higher risk pedigrees may continue to be used for breeding, thus maintaining genetic diversity within our breed. Armed new information we can attempt to prevent breeding a puppy that will be affected with the disease as it ages.

 

Where do we recommend breeders go from here?

 

Experts recommend breeders study their pedigrees and have a full knowledge of current assumed carriers.  Poodle pedigrees should be studied in relation to the Poodle Club of America Addison's database.  Breeding dogs should have yearly CBC and TgAA testing via Antech NY labs or Dr. Dodds, Hemopets.  If any offspring is diagnosed with this condition, notify others so that they may benefit from adjusting their own breeding strategies.

 

All stud dogs should be tested yearly; every breeder should require this test of studs in service. Note yearly testing cannot fully indicate if the dog is a carrier or affected but will give yearly indicators that may lead to prior or future detection.

 

That stated, please proceed to expert sources for updates on Addisons diagnostic testing.  Dr. Jean Dodds of Hemopets (http://www.hemopet.org)  and UC Davis (http://cgap.ucdavis.edu ) are currently leading the charge.  Please note I am not a veterinarian, I am a dog breeder.  The information provided here is a collection of published information on Addisons produced by experts in the field, links to some of those are provide.  This article is NOT an attempt to provide new information (as I am not qualified to do so), but to gather current research for breeders and consumers.

 

[Susan Davis]

This was a brilliant and helpful post.  Thank you so much for the insight.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Rae, I'm sorry to hear this. There is a phenomenal support group for owners of dogs with Addison's disease, called "Addison Dogs". Here's the link:
http://www.addisondogs.com/

As you may know, Jackdoodle has an immune system disease called atopic dermatitis and his current treatment involves his getting a shot every three weeks; but for the first 7 weeks of the treatment, he had to have it every other day. If it works, which we hope it will, he may also have to have the shots every three weeks for life.
You're right, this is no small thing. There are people who have given up dogs with Addison's. But I know that you can deal with this. Having a chronically ill dog is no fun, but it can really change your perspective... you may surprise yourself with what you're capable of doing when someone you love needs your help. I know I did. Bella can live a normal, happy life with Addison's disease. Hugs to you both.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Some dogs while on Predisone can not hold their urine, and need a pet sitter to let them out for a break in the afternoon. I use to pet sit for a Rottweiler who had Addison's and, Chopper always needed that afternoon break because they consume more water than normal.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, I know about the increased water consumption. Jack had one accident...the only one he has ever had in the 3+ years I've had him. We adjusted the dosage, and no more problems. But I guess it depends on the length of time the dog is left alone.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

We had a Bearded Collie with Addisons - that was 20 years ago. I am sure treatments have changed but here is our story.
Maggie was diagnosed at a year of age. She lived a healthy life - with only a few crisis over the next 12 years. She was given oral cortacortisones (florinef) by mouth 2 times a day and a salt pill for the sodium. No shots but was that the times???
We tried to keep her as stress free as possible - no more grooming salons all day long. We found Jim, a mobile groomer. She was never boarded if we went away; my daughters friend would stay here at home with her.
You know your dog. If Bella isn't 'right' you take her immediately to the vet for blood work. If her sodium and potassium levels are out of wack she needs IV fluids.
Maggie decided to take a vacation without us on a Memorial Day weekend. She jumped the fence and made a wrong turn and was missing for 3 days. Since the house she went to, the family was away, no one saw her. We finally found her on that Monday. Considering she was without her meds for 3 days we were thrilled that she did not suffer a crisis! Excpet that she was scared and hungry, she was perfect!
Having a dog with Addisons just needs close monitoring. Maggie was a healthy old girl until she was 13. I am not sure what led to the final days - Addisons or old age - but it didn't matter. She crossed over the Rainbow Bridge with me holding her, in no pain and she just closed her eyes. Even today, 8 years later, I write this with tears - tears over missing her but knowing she led a very happy, healthy life and for that I forever grateful!

[Rae]

A big THANK YOU to everyone for your support. "Addison Dogs" is wonderful - special thanks to Karen & Jack! Addison's Disease is very difficult to diagnose since symptons resemble other ailments and often come and go. It is due to a deficiency of cortisol and/or aldosterone. These deficiencies cause the levels of sodium and potassium to be abnormal. The adrenial glands pretty much shut down. Bella's are totally dead and she produces no cortisol. Some of the signs are weight loss, lack of appetite, excessive drinking/urinating, depression, vomiting/diarrhea on and off. So you can see why it's hard to diagnose but now that we know and Bella's on the right treatment she's doing great! We continue to monitor her and keep her as stress free as possible. We have her on a very low Predisone dose so no house wetting (HORRAY) now. The injections are every 28 days and the 4ml bottle is around $200 - but we have been able to reduce that dose also so a bottle is now lasting about 3 treatments. Thanks again for your support!

[Sine]

I had a westie who had Addisons - it was very difficult to diagnose, and he was about 6 months when he had his crisis, where he had lost about half his weight and would vomit and vomit and vomit. I remember everything so vividly. He then was on daily pred and monthly percorten shots (which it sounds like you also are giving?) that I gave myself for the rest of his 8 yrs. He did very well with this regimen and never really had a crisis ever again. However, his stomach was very sensitive and we were very strict with his food intake (this for seome reason made me very, very sad, as he couldn't experience more than his kibble ever ). He also had sensitive skin with the occasional outbreak of steroid induced acne. The hardest part throughout his lifetime was keeping him stress free, as the steroids made him very moody and unpredictable (but he was a terrier - doodles are much more easy going). He ultimately left this world from a 6 month battle with bladder cancer last year which still makes me cry to this day because I had a very real connection to this sick pup. So, much kudos to you for making such a committment to your baby - many would not! Give Bella a big kiss for me!

[Rae]

Sine- Thank you for sharing your story with your ADog. You are truly a loving pet mom and your dedication to taking care of your boy proves it. It is a huge committment- emotionally and financially - but our doodlekids are more than worth it. Bella is VERY high-strung and is one barking machine. She seems to get stressed very easily so that part is the hardest for us. Being calm just isn't easy,or maybe even possible, for her. She is now now 26 months old so no longer can be called a puppy and we can't blame that for some of her behaviors. We have got her injections down to 1.12cc every 28 days and the predisone down to .75mg a day. We're hoping to get the pred down to .5mg within the next month or so. Thank you again for sharing your experience and story. Take care!

[StaceyW]

We had a lab mix with Addisons who dies at age 12 a few months ago from cancer. He had his first and really only Addisonian crisis around age 1 and spent the rest of his life on the expensive but worth it monthly injections. We used to call Thor the most expensive free dog we ever had!! It was overwhelming at first and but soon just became part of his life and ours. We rarely gave him supplemental prednisone but he was a very calm and mellow dog who didnt seem to know what stress was! Good luck with everything - sounds like you have it all under control!