Iatriogenic Hypoadrenocorticism in Dogs

Iatriogenic hypoadrenocorticism is a condition in dogs in which the adrenal glands do not produce an adequate mixture of the various hormones that they are designed to secrete. These hormones are vital for your pet's health in many ways and help to regulate the many different bodily systems that he requires in order to be properly healthy. This is a very serious and potentially fatal condition. You must work with a vet inorder to properly diagnose and treat this condition by regulating the levels of hormones throughout your dog's blood. Read on for a brief overview of hypoadrenocorticism in dogs.

Hypoadrenocorticism Overview and Effects

Hypoadrenocorticism, also oftentimes called Addison's disease, is a relatively common condition in dogs, particularly in larger breeds. It is characterized by a lack of sufficient production of hormones by one or both adrenal glands. These glands are responsible for regulating, through the hormones that they produce, a number of important bodily functions and systems in your pet. Without the proper levels of these hormones, the body will not be able to adequately complete these processes.

Hypoadrenocorticism may be caused by a number of different factors. These may be genetic, they may have to do with your pet's food intake, or they may be idiopathic (meaning that they are without particular source or cause and it's difficult to identify why your pet suddenly developed this condition).

There are many different warning signs and symptoms of hypoadrenocorticism in dogs. Watch your pet carefully for any of the following warning symptoms:

  • Lethargy and general weakness
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Developing patches of darker skin
  • Loss of appetite
  • Joint pain
  • Difficulty moving or sitting down
  • Shivering

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it's a good idea to take your pet in to the vet as soon as possible. Bring along a list of the symptoms that you've seen as well as the dates and times at which they started. This will help your vet to make a proper diagnosis as quickly as possible.

Hypoadrenocorticism Diagnosis and Treatment

The process of diagnosing your dog's hypoadrenocorticism is generally dependent upon a series of blood tests. Your vet will make a primary analysis of your pet based on his symptoms and any other physical attributes that he notices. He will then take a small blood sample and will send it to the laboratory for analysis. At the lab, the blood will be checked for different types of adrenal hormones. A deficiency in these hormones will indicate possible iatriogenic hypoadrenocorticism in your dog.

It's important to remember that iatriogenic hypoadrenocorticism is not a death sentence for your dog. Rather, you and your vet can work together to help adjust your pet's lifestyle and food intake in ways that will help to keep him healthy. More importantly, you will need to provide him with hormone supplements so as to make sure that he retains his proper levels of body function. He'll require regular blood tests and monitoring in order to be sure that the hormone supplements are properly working.

 

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