Dogs Disease: How To Manage Addison’S

How to manage Addison,s dogs disease

Introduction

Addison’s dogs disease is also referred to as hypoadrenocorticism. It is caused by deficiency of normal amount of hormones in the adrenal glands. The deficiency is normally of two types of hormones: mineralcorticoids and glucocorticoids. Mineralocoticoids help in regulation of potassium and sodium in the body. The main mineralocorticoid is aldosterone. Glucocorticoid helps in regulation of many syems in the body and helps the body deal with stress. The main glucocorticoid is cortisol. Most dogs that suffer from this disease have little of these hormones. There are a number of symptoms associated with Addison’s dogs disease. Some of them include:

• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Collapsing
• Playing less
• Increased thirst and urination
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting
• Severe weakness
• Exercise intolerance
• Depression
• Unresponsiveness

Step 1

One must understand that there are two types of treatment for Addison’s dogs disease. One is by using a drug called Florinef. The drug replaces the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoids. This drug is provided in form of a pill every 12 hours. The second treatment involves giving Prednisone which replaces glucocorticoids twice or once every day. Percorten-V (DOCP) is another drug administered though injection after every 28 days. If the dog is very ill, a combination of Prednisone and Percorten-V can be administered.

Step 2

Closely monitor the sick dog. If the ill dog gets stress, there will be need to use additional medicine due to the dog’s greater need for corticosteroids. Visiting the veterinary, injury, new baby, new pets or being left alone can make the dog have stress. The dog may need supplements during the time of stress or else its body will start experiencing Addisonian Crisis which is an imbalance. This imbalance makes the dog even more stressed.

Step 3

A dogs with Addison’s dogs disease requires consecutive examinations after every 6 months. This is to determine whether there is need to alter the medication. An electrolyte test is administered to tell if the current medication should be continued.

Step 4

Monitoring of weight by the owner of the dog. When a dog is suffering from Addison’s dogs disease, it may reduce its weight. Medication should however be efficient enough not to make the dog lose weight. If the dog is losing weight continuously yet it is under medication, the dosage should be changed. Records of the dog’s weight should therefore be kept and monitored. Weight should be monitored after every week.

Step 5

Health records should be well kept by the owner of the dog. All the health records of the dog should be filled. This will necessitate history review and further checkups. You should keep a record of the incidents and time when something affecting the dog’s health happened. Record all the observations, symptoms and history of the illness. This will help the veterinarian when doing exams and prescribing medication.

Step 6

Familiarize with the signs and symptoms. An owner of the dog with Addison’s dogs disease should be able to identify danger symptoms. This way, he will be able to tell if there is any cause of alarm or not. Any abnormality noted should be treated as a medical emergency.

Tips

There is no specific way of preventing Addison’s dogs disease. However, the approach that is recommended is to begin administration of glucocorticoid hormone for the dog’s lifetime. Also, Speak with the veterinarian regarding your contingency plans. How much Prednisone should be administered during times of stress? Look for clinics that are recommended and know what to do in case of emergencies. Look for veterinarians who are professionals and who have experience. They will be the best when it comes to advice, prescriptions and future referrals.

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