Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Addison's Disease
We've had quite a week. Indy began vomiting at 4:30 Tuesday morning and it kept happening every 45 minutes or so until 10:30. We thought he must have eaten something funny in the woods over the weekend and was just having a delayed reaction.
By Wednesday night, however, he refused to eat and was very lethargic. We brought him to the vet first thing Thursday morning for dehydration. Our vet ran a blood panel and an ACTH response test because he suspected Addison's given Indy's symptoms.
Indy stayed at the vet for 2.5 days receiving fluids and medications through an IV, and it was confirmed this morning that he does indeed have Addison's.
Apparently, it's very common in poodles. I don't really understand the whole disease, but it's a problem with the kidney's adrenal glands. Basically he can't produce enough cortisol, which is important for the body's response to stress. It also helps balance blood pressure and water and salt levels. Our first clue that he might have this was his constant drinking and urinating, to the point that other dog owners noticed it and thought it was odd how much he drank.
Indy went into what's called "Addisonian Crisis," where his levels were so off and his body was beginning to shut down. Luckily we brought him to the vet just in time, and he is fine now, home and resting.
There's no cure for Addison's, and Indy will have to take a small dose of the steroid prednisone everyday for the rest of his life, as well as receive an injection every 25-28 days for the rest of his life. As annoying and expensive as it is, it's not life threatening as long as you are diligent and responsible about treatment. This will ward off any future Addisonian crises.
I was wondering if there are any other doodle owners out there who have or have had dogs with Addison's and what your experience was like. Were there any harsh side effects to the medications? Was treatment successful? Is your dog living a normal life with treatment? Please share any advice you have. Thank you so much!
By Wednesday night, however, he refused to eat and was very lethargic. We brought him to the vet first thing Thursday morning for dehydration. Our vet ran a blood panel and an ACTH response test because he suspected Addison's given Indy's symptoms.
Indy stayed at the vet for 2.5 days receiving fluids and medications through an IV, and it was confirmed this morning that he does indeed have Addison's.
Apparently, it's very common in poodles. I don't really understand the whole disease, but it's a problem with the kidney's adrenal glands. Basically he can't produce enough cortisol, which is important for the body's response to stress. It also helps balance blood pressure and water and salt levels. Our first clue that he might have this was his constant drinking and urinating, to the point that other dog owners noticed it and thought it was odd how much he drank.
Indy went into what's called "Addisonian Crisis," where his levels were so off and his body was beginning to shut down. Luckily we brought him to the vet just in time, and he is fine now, home and resting.
There's no cure for Addison's, and Indy will have to take a small dose of the steroid prednisone everyday for the rest of his life, as well as receive an injection every 25-28 days for the rest of his life. As annoying and expensive as it is, it's not life threatening as long as you are diligent and responsible about treatment. This will ward off any future Addisonian crises.
I was wondering if there are any other doodle owners out there who have or have had dogs with Addison's and what your experience was like. Were there any harsh side effects to the medications? Was treatment successful? Is your dog living a normal life with treatment? Please share any advice you have. Thank you so much!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on
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I'm sorry to hear that Indy has Addison's Disease. We do have a discussion in the Health and Medical Issues group about it, but our search feature is down right now. I do know there are other members here who are dealing with it.
There is a great resource & support website for owners of dogs with Addison's disease called Addison Dogs.
You will find a lot of information and help there.
Hugs to you & Indy.
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Permalink Reply by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on
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I'm sorry, I don't have any insight on Addison's disease. I do want to say I'm very sorry that you're going through this. I can only imagine the stress. Indy is adorable. How old is he? Have you talked to the breeder...I'm wondering if she's experienced this before. Our thoughts and best wishes are certainly with you and Indy.
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Here's a good explanation of the basics of Addison's Disease.
As you will learn, it is very important to keep dogs with Addison's from becoming stressed.
Addison's does run in Standard Poodles and a few other breeds, including Bearded Collies. I know Adrianne Matzkin had a Beardie with Addison's.
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Permalink Reply by F, Calla & Luca on
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Keeping a dog or person from being stressed is a hard task. I can see avoiding certain situations but there are so many everyday things.
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Well, I'm just repeating what the literature says, and what Adrianne, who had a dog with Addison's, says below. What would your suggestion be in lieu of trying to avoid stress?
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Karen, I'm not suggesting you should not try to avoid stress. We all should . What I meant was that there are things that one can prevent but many every day stresses are unavoidable. Calla is very territorial but I can't prevent people from walking by the property, for instance. I do not think those kind of stressors are likely to cause a crisis, however. Very profound or prolonged stress, such as a long car trip for a dog who is fearful of riding in a car, or isolating a dog with separation anxiety are the kinds of things you can and should avoid.
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Permalink Reply by Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey on
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Marcie check out this thread on another forum. You may want to contact the breeder to let he/she know that Indy has been diagnosed with Addison's. Also is the food you feed him grain free? From many of the articles I have read, gluten intolerance can aggravate symptoms more.
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Permalink Reply by Adrianne Matzkin on
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Our Beardie Collie was diagnosed 23 years ago when she was just a year old. I was able to keep healthy until she was 13. SHe only had a handful of Addisonian Crisis - TG!! BUT - no more to the groomer or be boarded. Whenever we went away, a family friend stayed at our home. I found a mobile groomer who came every 3 weeks for a bath and good brushing so she never had any mats.
She actually jumped a fence Memorial Day weekend. She was gone 3 days until someone noticed our signs. No meds for 3 days!! OMG - I couldn't imagine she would survive. Well, no crisis!!
BITD - 1/2 salt pill and meds 2Xs day. I have no idea what today's treatment is but if I was able to keep Maggie healthy for all those years all those years ago, you should have no problems. Just find what his stresses are and try to keep them at a minimum.
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Just to clarify. Although the adrenal glands are near the kidneys, they are separate and distinct glands that produce a number of important substances including cortisol.
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Permalink Reply by Mrs. K on
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Thanks for all good web sites. I'll check them out. Keeping him stress free will be the hardest part. We groom him ourselves, but even that stresses him out. I was wondering why all my searches were coming up empty! I had a feeling something wasn't working right. Thanks for sending past threads. Will keep you posted.
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Marcie, I found the discussion here in our Health and Medical group from another girl whose dog has Addison's, Rae. You might want to contact her.
http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues/forum/topi...
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Permalink Reply by Allyson, Peri & Taquito on
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Marcie...I am so sorry about Indy's diagnosis. I just wanted to wish you the best of luck in controlling it. Hugs from me and Lady Peri =)
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