Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with suspected adrenal tumors causing Addison's disease
By Proksch, Anna-Lena et al.·Published in Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K, Kleintiere/Heimtiere·2020·Clinic of Small Animals - Internal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Suspected bilateral adrenal gland tumour causing primary Addison's disease in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 13-year-old miniature poodle was brought to the vet after three days of vomiting, not eating, and being unusually tired. The dog also hadn't urinated for two days and showed signs of dehydration and a painful belly. Tests revealed severe kidney issues and an ultrasound showed masses on both adrenal glands. The dog was diagnosed with Addison's disease, which can occur when adrenal glands are damaged by tumors. Although surgery was attempted, it was not successful due to the advanced nature of the disease. The dog was treated for Addison's disease and initially did well, but sadly had to be euthanized eight weeks later due to worsening health.
People also search for: dog vomiting and lethargy · Addison's disease in dogs · miniature poodle kidney problems · adrenal gland tumor in dogs · dog not urinating treatment
Abstract
A 13-year old miniature poodle presented with a 3-day episode of vomiting, anorexia, and lethargy. Lack of micturition had been noted for 2 days. Clinical examination indicated dehydration and a tense, painful abdomen. Laboratory parameters (severe azotaemia, hyperkalaemia, severe hyponatraemia, hypochloraemia, and hyperphosphataemia with glucosuria and proteinuria) were consistent with anuric acute kidney injury (AKI). Abdominal ultrasound revealed bilateral adrenal masses. ACTH stimulation test was diagnostic for Addison's disease. Computed tomography confirmed bilateral adrenal masses and indicated multifocal liver nodules. Additionally, infiltration of the caudal vena cava with partial luminal occlusion was demonstrated. Surgical removal of the adrenal masses with venous plasty intervention and stenting of the vessels deemed unrewarding in this patient in respect to progressed tumour growth with assumed metastatic spread. The dog was treated for Addison's disease and discharged with good overall condition. Eight weeks later, the dog was euthanized due to progressive caudal vena cava occlusion. Whilst hypoadrenocoticism typically affects young to middle aged dogs, in old dogs primary Addison's disease might be caused by neoplastic bilateral adrenal gland destruction. This is the first case report of hypovolaemia leading to AKI secondary to bilateral adrenal masses causing Addison's disease in a dog.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32325528/