Addisons disease?

pombina

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Has anybody heard of it?
My Mums 1 1/2 year old springer spaniel Alfie has been diagnosed with this today and is back at the vet tomorrow for more tests.
It is apparently an imbalance of the electrolites in the brain?
We knew there was something wrong because he has been so lethergic and depressed looking for the past week or so, and would hardly touch any food whatsoever (all things which are COMPLETELY unlike our Alfie
).
Im really worried about my poor boy. The vet has said he will have to be on medication for the rest of his life.
 

mooficat

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Oh no, I am sorry I havent heard of it. Hopefully the meds are going to work, my SIL had a dog on meds for life and she soon get into a routine with it.

Heres sending some positive healthy (((((
vibes
))))) for Alfie and his tests tomorrow

keep us posted !
 

graciecat

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I've heard of Addisons Disease in people but not in animals.

He looks like such a sweetheart, I'll keep him in my thoughts and prayers.
 

laureen227

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Originally Posted by Graciecat

I've heard of Addisons Disease in people but not in animals.

He looks like such a sweetheart, I'll keep him in my thoughts and prayers.
in people, it's a disease of the adrenal glands, which are located above the kidneys. causes lots of problems...
The most obvious symptoms of Addison's disease are fatigue, weakness, and unexpected weight loss. Other possible symptoms include loss of appetite; nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; and lightheadedness. Your skin color also may become darker, a condition called hyperpigmentation.
Symptoms usually develop slowly and often are not obvious until an adrenal crisis, or Addisonian crisis, occurs because of a stressful event, such as a severe infection, trauma, surgery, or dehydration. The body is not able to produce enough cortisol to cope with stress. If not treated, an adrenal crisis may be fatal because of shock from a steep drop in blood pressure.

President Kennedy had Addison's disease.
 
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pombina

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Thankyou both, he is such a sweetheart. He's everyone's best friend


Apparently there are several different types of Addisons. One affects the pituitary gland and another affects the hypothalamus (sp). The tests he'll get tomorrow will determine which part of his brain is lacking in a certain hormone (mum did tell me but I cant remember) and that will let them know which medication he should be given.
Its not life threatening but its so heartbreaking when our babies are not in 100% health.
 

neetanddave

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for little Alfie and your family. If only they could talk and let us know they are not in pain.... that they just need some help...
 
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pombina

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Originally Posted by laureen227

in people, it's a disease of the adrenal glands, which are located above the kidneys. causes lots of problems...
The most obvious symptoms of Addison's disease are fatigue, weakness, and unexpected weight loss. Other possible symptoms include loss of appetite; nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; and lightheadedness. Your skin color also may become darker, a condition called hyperpigmentation.
Symptoms usually develop slowly and often are not obvious until an adrenal crisis, or Addisonian crisis, occurs because of a stressful event, such as a severe infection, trauma, surgery, or dehydration. The body is not able to produce enough cortisol to cope with stress. If not treated, an adrenal crisis may be fatal because of shock from a steep drop in blood pressure.

President Kennedy had Addison's disease.
Thankyou Laureen, Cortisol, thats what my Mum said. Everything you said is what the vet said to Mum.
I didn't realise it could be fatal! hopefully thats only if its not discovered in time.
He has lost weight, totally lost his appetite, and there has been a bit of stress in my Mums house due to issues with my step brother so obviously that has not helped him.
 
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pombina

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Originally Posted by neetanddave

for little Alfie and your family. If only they could talk and let us know they are not in pain.... that they just need some help...
My Mum has been saying for the past 10 days 'that dog is not well', 'alfie boy is not himself' and when she brought him to my house on saturday and let him out the car he didnt knock me down with kisses like he normally does. I agreed that there was definately something wrong with the poor baby.
On Monday he was booked in for his boosters, so my Mum mentioned he's been under the weather and the vet decided not to vaccinate him while he was not himself.
Yesterday my Mum discovered him curled up in a ball on her bed (he knows he's not allowed on there) shivering, despite the fact that the heating was on full blast.
So she called the vet, and then called the pet insurance company.
 

white cat lover

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Awww....poor Alfie!
I know nothing of Addison's disease, so I'm no help. A
is all I can offer!
 

lsulover

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Sending prayers and hugs for Alfie, I do hope that he finds out what excatly is wrong with him at the vets today.

Please keep us updated on how he is doing.

 
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pombina

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Thankyou so much everyone

This has been an awful day

Alfie has begun his treatment for Addisons today as his condition had got so bad that things in his body were going seriously wrong. I don't really understand how all your electrolites work but basically they affect levels of hormones and things in your body and your adrenal gland regulates all of this, but its his adrenal gland that does not work. He's been one sick puppy dog today but is able to come home tonight but will need regular vet visits for the rest of his life.
They will need to check him every week to begin with to make sure his medication levels are right. He is to be kept away from all stress, such as arguements, going in the car, changing food etc etc etc so everyone will have to get used to being cool calm and collected around him.
I just feel so sorry for him. I think Ill go over for a visit tomorrow. It breaks your heart when they are not in 100% health.
ETA: here is a link to info on human form, I imagine its much the same in dogs
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles...ectionId=26743
 

white cat lover

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I feel so bad for poor Alfie!
Just don't forget this....many people would've euthanized him rather than treat him for the rest of his life....Alfie is one lucky dawg....he knows he's loved.
 
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pombina

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Thankyou for that Natalie

Its true unfortunately. I was talking to my Mum on the phone this morning and that is one of the things I said, that many pet owners, who dont take as much notice of their pets, would let something like this go by unnoticed and the poor animal would probably end up dying

Alfie may have had a heart attack if the vet had not figured out what was wrong in time.
Update, he is home and my Mum let him sleep in their bedroom last night so she could keep an eye on him (I dont think she got much sleep worrying about him!) He was really good all night but had a little accident in the bedroom at about 4am. This must have made him feel awful because he knows hes not meant to do that but its understandable since he was on IV fluids all day. Bless him.
He took his pill no problem this morning, good boy!
He has to go back to the vet next week for more blood tests so they can see how well his medication is working.
Mum says he has a bit more energy today and ate some scrambled egg this morning

Mum also called his breeder (he's a pedigree) and advised her of this because its apparently more common in his breed. She is going to call the other mums and dads who got the rest of his litter and let them know just to watch out 'just in case'.
Ill keep you updated on his progress and thankyou all so much for your vibes, they have worked once again
 
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