Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How common is adrenal insufficiency in Swedish insured dogs
By Hanson, J M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2016·Department of Clinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Naturally Occurring Adrenocortical Insufficiency--An Epidemiological Study Based on a Swedish-Insured Dog Population of 525,028 Dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that naturally occurring adrenocortical insufficiency (NOAI) is a rare but serious condition in dogs, affecting breeds like the Portuguese Water Dog, Standard Poodle, and Cocker Spaniel. Symptoms may include lethargy, weight loss, and poor appetite. The good news is that with proper hormonal replacement treatment, dogs diagnosed with NOAI can have a favorable prognosis. However, female dogs are at a higher risk of developing this condition compared to males. If you notice any concerning symptoms in your dog, it's important to consult your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment options.
People also search for: dog adrenal insufficiency symptoms · Cocker Spaniel health issues · hormonal treatment for dog adrenal problems
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Naturally occurring adrenocortical insufficiency (NOAI) in dogs is considered an uncommon disease with good prognosis with hormonal replacement treatment. However, there are no epidemiological studies with estimates for the general dog population. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of NOAI in a large population of insured dogs. ANIMALS: Data were derived from 525,028 client-owned dogs insured by a Swedish insurance company representing 2,364,652 dog-years at risk (DYAR) during the period between 1995-2006. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Incidence rates, prevalences, and relative risks for dogs with NOAI (AI with no previous claim for hypercortisolism), were calculated for the whole dog population, and for subgroups divided by breed and sex. Mortality rates were calculated and compared in dogs with NOAI and the remaining dogs overall. RESULTS: In total 534 dogs were identified with NOAI. The overall incidence was 2.3 cases per 10,000 DYAR. The relative risk of disease was significantly higher in the Portuguese Water Dog, Standard Poodle, Bearded Collie, Cairn Terrier, and Cocker Spaniel compared with other breeds combined. Female dogs overall were at higher risk of developing AI than male dogs (RR 1.85; 95% CI, 1.55-2.22; P < .001). The relative risk of death was 1.9 times higher in dogs with NOAI than in dogs overall. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The data supports the existence of breed-specific differences in incidence rates of NOAI in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26683136/