Addison's Disease

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                    (adrenal insufficiency)



                      General Information



Addison's disease is a disorder of the adrenal glands in which

adrenal hormone production is insufficient.  The condition may

result from damage to the glands by infection, cancer or drugs,

or the cause may not be known.  Pituitary gland disease may also

cause adrenal insufficiency.



Insufficient adrenal hormones can upset the body's conservation

of sodium (salt), reduce circulating blood volume, impair heart

and kidney function, damage the heart muscle, and cause faulty

sugar and fat metabolism.  Decreased tolerance of stress is the

primary characteristic of Addison's disease, and affected pets

are often presented in a shock-like state of collapse called an

Addisonian crisis.



Extensive blood and adrenal function tests are necessary to

properly diagnose and plan treatment for Addison's disease.



                 Important Points in Treatment 



1.  Initial treatment of adrenal insufficiency usually is done in

    the hospital, due to the need for intravenous fluids and

    medications and frequent laboratory tests.  Your pet will be

    released as soon as the disorder can be treated effectively

    at home.  Lifetime treatment is usually needed. 



2.  Give all the medication as directed.  Call the doctor if you

    cannot give any medication prescribed. 



3.  Activity:  Your pet should be kept quiet during the initial

    recovery period due to its inability to react properly to

    stress. Once your pet's condition is stable, activity can be

    gradually increased to normal. 



4.  Provide access to clean, fresh drinking water at all times.



5.  Ordinarily no special diet is required, but some pets

    require salt supplementation.  Your doctor will advise you if

    this is necessary for your pet.



       Notify the Doctor if Any of the Following Occur:



    * Your pet vomits or has diarrhea.



    * Your pet seems overly thirsty and urinates frequently or has

    accidents.



    * Your pet has periods of well-being interrupted by brief

    episodes of illness, weakness or depression.



    * Your pet is depressed.