Fact Sheet

Disorder: Addison's Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism)

Variety of Poodle Affected: Standard

Description: Destruction of the adrenal gland which produces adrenal hormones

Symptoms: Depression, lack of appetite, vomiting and/or diarrhea with abdominal pain, hypotensive shock with weakness and shivering.

Mode of Inheritance: Unknown, although two veterinary papers have been published detailing Addison's in families of Standard Poodles. The research suggests that Addison's may be passed by a simple autosomal recessive gene.

Method of Diagnosis: ACTH stimulation test; serum cortisal level determination; CBC (complete blood count) in which eosinophil cells occur in higher than normal numbers; i.e., sodium and potassium levels are abnormal.

Age of Onset: Varies (Note: In other breeds, Addison's is seen most often in middle aged males. This information does not appear to be true in Standard Poodles.)

Treatment: Florinef (fludrocortisone acetate) given orally daily for the remainder of the dog's life.

Recommendations: Addison's is fatal if left undiagnosed and untreated. Dogs with Addison's may have a crisis during periods of stress; i.e., during boarding or grooming, etc. No dog that has been diagnosed with Addison's should be used in a breeding program. A dog that has produced Addison's is a carrier. Great care must be taken not to breed carrier to carrier.

The information contained above is based on published research current at the time of writing and is accurate to the best of VIP's knowledge.

Addison's Disease-what it is?

Addison's Disease Info