Addison's Disease in Dogs: Long-term Welfare Management

Key Welfare Considerations

• Addison's disease results from immune-mediated destruction of the adrenal cortex causing glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid deficiency.
• Young to middle-aged female dogs are disproportionately affected — Standard Poodles and Great Danes have breed predisposition.
• Acute Addisonian crisis is a life-threatening welfare emergency requiring intensive fluid and steroid therapy.
• Crisis signs include profound weakness, collapse, bradycardia, hypoglycaemia, and hyponatraemia — all severe welfare impacts.
• Diagnosis requires ACTH stimulation test — minimal cortisol rise confirms adrenocortical insufficiency.
• Once diagnosed and stabilised, welfare management is highly effective with appropriate medication.
• Desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) monthly injection replaces mineralocorticoids for welfare-supporting electrolyte balance.
• Fludrocortisone acetate provides both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement in an oral daily formulation.
• Stress dosing with additional prednisolone during illness, surgery, or extreme emotional events prevents welfare crises.
• Electrolyte monitoring (sodium:potassium ratio) guides DOCP dose adjustment for ongoing welfare management.
• Once stabilised, Addisonian dogs have normal life expectancy with excellent welfare quality of life.
• Medic alert tags identifying Addisonian dogs ensure appropriate emergency treatment welfare protection.
• Owner education about crisis recognition and emergency prednisolone administration is welfare-critical.
• Annual health monitoring including electrolytes, ACTH stimulation, and blood pressure maintains welfare stability.
• The transformation in welfare from acute collapse to normal function with treatment is one of veterinary medicine's most rewarding outcomes.