THE GREAT PRETENDER-ADDISON’S DISEASE (updated)
Addison’s disease is often referred to as “The Great Pretender” or “The Great Imitator” by medical professionals because it takes on the symptoms of so many other diseases. These are as follows:
LOSS OF APPETITE-LETHARGY-WEAKNESS-VOMITING-DIARRHEA-WEIGHT LOSS-SHIVERING, TREMORS, MUSCLE STIFFNESS-DEPRESSION-DEHYDRATION. The symptoms may come and go depending on stress so it may be difficult for an owner to establish the need for medical attention in the early stages.
Zoey, my nine-pound Maltese, which many customers know from years of bringing her to the store, has just been diagnosed with Addison’s Disease. It is considered somewhat the opposite of Cushing’s Disease, which felled my other Maltese, Daisy, about a year after she got diagnosed (also around seven years of age like Zoey.) The bright news is that it is more controllable; with the proper medication, Zoey can most likely live to be an old lady.
Addison’s disease, or hypoadrenocorticism, is caused by a reduction or an absence of crucial hormones from the adrenal glands, which are small, paired glands next to the kidneys. These glands produce several hormones “that regulate a variety of body functions necessary to sustain life. The most widely known hormone is cortisol, commonly called cortisone or steroid. Cortisol is needed by every cell in the body and is essential to protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism as well as maintaining a healthy intestinal tract. The adrenal glands also produce another hormone called aldosterone which regulates electrolyte and water balance by keeping blood sodium and potassium concentrations within specific normal ranges.” If left untreated, Addison’s can become life-threatening. Addison’s affects mostly female dogs between the ages of four to five years. And it is more common in Standard Poodles, Labradoodles, Goldendoodle, Portuguese Water Dogs, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, and Bearded Collies. Addison’s can be the result of a hereditary autoimmune disease where the dog’s own immune system attacks and destroys the adrenal glands, or an invasion of the adrenal glands by some type of tumor/cancer, by an overdose of prescription medication such as trilostane or mitotane, an infection of the adrenal glands, or a sudden cessation of long-term use of steroid supplements.
I probably could have taken Zoey to the vet about a month before I finally made an appointment. And I have been beating myself up a bit. I recognized that she seemed increasingly lethargic, sleeping for longer periods of time, not interested in playing with Ebby or stalking the cats, shivering at times (which I attributed to the winter although she is always clothed inside and outside with increasing layers.) As far as her appetite, Zoey has never been a voracious eater. For months she would eat her dinner eagerly and then go two days without any interest. (An early sign?) Then I noticed something different about her eyes, perhaps depression; a look that spoke of dismay. When she did not eat for a third night, was not eating her morning treats, and then threw up yellow bile on my bed before sleep time, I became more alarmed. Most upsetting, however, was the “sad” look in her eyes. Time to take her to Parkway. After x-rays, and blood work, Dr. Ashley *Fancher (correct spelling) was almost certain it was Addison’s. They put fluids under her skin as she was dehydrated and had explosive diarrhea while there. The next day I took her back for one hour-spaced blood tests that were sent to a lab. Her electrolytes were also off balance. She was given a shot which she will have to get every 25-28 days, and a daily 1/4 pill of prednisone which she will take for the duration of her life. We go back this Friday, for another blood test to check on her improvement, which was noticeable after the first day. She is spunky again, looks forward to her treats, eats dinner every night, plays with HER dog Ebby and NO sad eyes.
