Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hypoadrenocorticism in small animals.
- Journal:
- Clinical techniques in small animal practice
- Year:
- 2007
- Authors:
- Greco, Deborah S
- Affiliation:
- Nestle Purina Petcare · United States
Plain-English summary
Hypoadrenocorticism, also known as Addison's disease, can be tricky for veterinarians to diagnose and treat, as it can show up in different ways. While it's most commonly seen in dogs, cats can also be affected. To identify this condition, vets rely on a combination of a pet's history, physical exam, and specific lab tests. Once diagnosed, it's crucial to start treatment quickly, which usually involves giving fluids, corticosteroids (a type of medication), and other supportive care to help the pet recover. The article emphasizes that with prompt and appropriate treatment, pets with Addison's disease can have a successful outcome.
Abstract
The diagnosis and treatment of hypoadrenocorticism can be one of the greatest challenges faced by veterinary practitioners, as Addison's disease may have many faces and many presentations. Although the disease is most often diagnosed in dogs, cats may also suffer from Addison's disease. The practitioner must have a high index of suspicion to make a diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism. This index of suspicion is based on knowledge of the common signalment, history, physical examination, and laboratory findings. Diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism is supported by appropriate choice of diagnostic endocrine tests that are described in detail in this article. Once a diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism has been made, expedient treatment is of foremost concern. Timely treatment using fluids, corticosteroids, and supportive care will ensure a successful outcome; the emergency treatment of Addison's is covered briefly in this article and fully in another article in this issue. The purpose of this review was to describe the clinical diagnosis and chronic treatment of hypoadrenocorticism in dogs and cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17542195/