Understanding Addison's disease in cats — a rare but life-threatening hormonal disorder requiring careful management.
Feline hypoadrenocorticism causes significant welfare impairment through hormonal insufficiency. Cortisol deficiency impairs the stress response, glucose regulation, and immune function. Aldosterone deficiency causes sodium loss and potassium retention — leading to dangerous electrolyte imbalances, hypotension, and cardiac arrhythmias. The combination causes the Addisonian crisis — a life-threatening collapse requiring emergency intervention.
The welfare of acute crises is extreme — cats in adrenal crisis are profoundly weak, hypothermic, and cardiovascularly compromised. Without immediate intravenous fluid therapy and glucocorticoid replacement, death is inevitable. Even with treatment, recovery from crisis takes days of intensive care.
Long-term welfare with appropriate management is generally good. Daily prednisolone and monthly desoxycorticosterone pivoxilate (DOCP) injections for mineralocorticoid replacement maintain hormonal balance. Owners must be educated to increase steroid doses during any physical or emotional stressor — illness, surgery, or significant life changes — to prevent crisis.