I know I have posted alot of information in the past and have provided more than a plethora of information. I just really wanted to educate everyone about Canine Addison's Disease! Here's a recap, short and sweet:
Who: Atlas, 4 year old Harlequin Great Dane
What: Addison's Disease--a disorder where the part of the adrenal glands that produce mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids cease to function. Consequently, the body's electrolytes, sodium and potassium, are abnormal due to lack of aldosterone (mineralocorticoid). A decrease or absence of glucocorticoid (cortisol) manifest in lethargy, hyperpigmentation of the skin, anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
What brought us to the vet: ate Greenie on Monday, unable to poop on Tuesday, not eating or drinking, super lethargic (tired)
Journey to diagnosis: Wednesday treated for dehydration with IV fluids and started Flagyl, doctor heard a heart murmur (new), ate and drank some at the vet, drank a little at home, also passed a golf ball size Greenie. Thursday back to vet for not eating/drinking and lethargy--more IV fluids, ate and drank a little at the vet, drank a little at home and ate some chicken. Friday back to vet for the same--abdominal x-rays done-->OK, labs-->low sodium, high potassium-->Addison's??-->maybe but labs may be off due to IV fluids, sent home.
The turning point: Friday day/evening-very lethargic, ate a little, drank a little, his heart was racing and had an arrhythmia. Friday night-still extremely lethargic, would not eat or drink, got off the couch and his hind end went out from underneath him-->to the ER!
ER course: Chest x-ray and EKG-->OK, Labs--lower sodium, higher potassium (8.6), more than likely Addison's but wouldn't know until vet opened on Monday and test could be done. Stayed the whole weekend and received IV fluids and IV Dexamethasone (a glucocorticoid--one of the hormones the adrenals stop making), wouldn't eat anything but chicken, but much more energetic and lively, hind end weakness decreased.
Diagnosis: Back to our vet on Monday(3/6/06), got the ACTH test, came home. Tuesday(3/7/06) he received official diagnosis of Addison's Disease and received his replacement shot of mineralocorticoid (Percorten/DOCP) and started the by mouth replacement of his glucocorticoid (there are many options..we chose Hydrocortisone).
Today: A year later Atlas weighs in at 165lbs, eats 4 cups of Nutro Natural Choice per day, 20mg of Hydrocortisone divided into morning and evening doses (he gets extra if he is going to have a busy or stressful day), and goes 30 days in between his Percorten shots. His activity level is normal. He wrestles with his brother Cole, enjoys sniffing new butts at the bark park, and LOVES to go to the beach, crash waves, and dig in the sand! He's as good as new!
Questions? Post a comment or look at my profile for my email! Their are tons of links and I will be happy to help in any way I can!
2 comments:
Hi Chana,
I enjoyed reading your blog and felt very much the same way you did in your car accident story. You have much more restraint than I would have. Anyway, I am going to get my Dane diagnosed over the next few days and I liked reading Atlas' story of triumph over AD. If you don't mind telling me, what is your average monthly price for meds on a dog his size and do you buy your meds online for less ? I am trying to get an idea of what the monthly maintenance drugs will cost for a Dane... Thank you for any response, and thank you for taking the time to create the blog ! amysmith52@yahoo.com
So glad you found the cure...
Atlas looks like a magnificent character...
And may he sniff many many butts on the beach in many years to comewith his brother Cole...
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