Canine hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease) is a life-threatening hormonal disorder that mimics many other conditions. Diagnosis and lifelong management transform prognosis.
Addison's disease welfare involves the significant suffering of undiagnosed dogs experiencing chronic adrenal insufficiency and the life-threatening crisis that often leads to diagnosis. Dogs with unrecognized Addison's disease experience repeated episodes of lethargy, gastrointestinal signs, and weakness that veterinarians may investigate for months without identifying the underlying cause. The Addisonian crisis — severe electrolyte imbalance causing cardiovascular collapse — is a medical emergency with significant mortality if untreated. Once diagnosed, however, the prognosis is excellent: dogs on appropriate hormone replacement live normal lifespans with good quality of life. The welfare challenge is achieving timely diagnosis before crisis in dogs with vague clinical signs.