Prevalence and clinical features of hypoadrenocorticism in Great Pyrenees dogs in a referred population: 11 cases.

Abstract

Naturally occurring hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease) is uncommon, with an estimated prevalence in the canine population between 0.06% and 0.28%. This retrospective study evaluated the prevalence and clinical features of hypoadrenocorticism in Great Pyrenees (GP) dogs presented to the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire V&#xe9;t&#xe9;rinaire of the University of Montreal between March 2005 and October 2014. During this period, 100 dogs were diagnosed with hypoadrenocorticism, representing 0.38% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.26% to 0.5%] of the canine population studied. The highest prevalence was observed in GP (9.73%, 95% CI: 9.12% to 10.35%,< 0.0001), followed by West Highland white terriers (4.66%, 95% CI: 4.24% to 5.09%,< 0.0001), Great Danes (1.87%, 95% CI: 1.6% to 2.14%,< 0.0001), standard poodles (1.76%, 95% CI: 1.5% to 2.02%,= 0.0001), Saint Bernards (1.72%, 95% CI: 1.47% to 1.98%,= 0.018), and Jack Russell terriers (1.48%, 95% CI: 1.24% to 1.72%,= 0.003). Although most clinical features were nonspecific, Great Pyrenees dogs were more frequently presented with anemia, azotemia, and eosinophilia, or with hypotension and cachexia compared with dogs of other breeds.