Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism) is an underdiagnosed hormonal condition in dogs that can cause sudden, life-threatening crises. With lifelong treatment, affected dogs live normal, healthy lives.
Dogs with undiagnosed Addison's disease often suffer for months with episodic vomiting, lethargy, and weakness before diagnosis. The unpredictability of crises creates chronic vulnerability. Once diagnosed and appropriately treated, the welfare trajectory dramatically improves — most dogs are indistinguishable from healthy dogs. The welfare challenge shifts to maintaining consistent treatment and providing additional glucocorticoids during stress (surgery, illness, kennel stays) to prevent crisis. Owner education about stress dosing is life-saving. The disease demonstrates that accurate diagnosis, even when it leads to lifelong medication, profoundly improves animal welfare.