Companion Animals

Addisons Disease in Dogs: 2025 Welfare and Management Guide

Updated welfare guide for canine hypoadrenocorticism -- a life-threatening but highly manageable condition.

Key Facts

Addisons disease results from deficiency of adrenal hormones -- glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids
It is most common in young to middle-aged female dogs -- Standard Poodles and Great Danes are predisposed
The disease is often called the great pretender -- signs include wasting, lethargy, vomiting, and weakness
The Addisonian crisis is a life-threatening emergency caused by sodium-potassium imbalance
Diagnosis requires ACTH stimulation testing -- baseline cortisol can be used as a screening test
Treatment includes lifelong glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement therapy
With appropriate management, affected dogs have an excellent quality of life and normal lifespan
Stress dosing by increasing corticosteroids during illness or surgery is critical to prevent crises

Welfare Significance

Addisons disease is insidious -- the gradual non-specific deterioration is easily missed until crisis. The welfare burden of undiagnosed Addisons includes months or years of chronic ill-health. Once diagnosed and managed, these dogs can thrive. The key welfare challenge is early diagnosis and consistent lifelong management.

What You Can Do

Seek veterinary assessment for any dog with recurrent episodes of weakness, vomiting, or general malaise
Carry an emergency prednisolone injection for home use in the event of crisis
Ensure all vets and animal care professionals know your dogs Addisons diagnosis
Never miss medication doses -- even a single missed dose can trigger a crisis in severely affected dogs