Addison's Disease
by Tricia, Beau and Maisy
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Hi everyone! Well, the Maisy saga continues. After being fine, she got sick again this weekend. Anyway, based on new blood levels, the vet and the internist are now testing for Addison's disease. The archives only has info on Cushing's disease which is actually kind of opposite Addison's from what I can tell. Does anyone have any experience with this disease? I guess it's treatable with a new injection given every 25 days or so; so that's good. Thanks.
DISCUSSION:
Tricia, I was sorry to hear that Maisy got sick again over the weekend, but it sounds like this is something that can be treated, so that's really good!! When will you find out for sure if that's what it is? Sorry, I've never even heard of the disease, but will be curious to know if anyone else does. Can you give her the injections every 25 days, or will you have to take her to the vet? Well, keep us informed and we'll be saying prayers for Maisy every day!!!
Kirsten & Mattie
Both these conditions, as I understand it, are rather tricky to diagnose. You are lucky your vet. is looking into it. You can ask Dr. Jim on the Infodog.com discussion forum to explain both. He has been away but is expected back next week. Let us know what he says. This is the MossBow Dog Show Superintendant forum and is very helpful.
Mary Lou
I dont have much time am at work, but just wanted to say Hi and I DO know what your going thru. Powder started Throwing up 4:30 monday morning and we got him to the vets right away. Did the liver Profile test as it turned out his liver is still in the normal range. So we are treating it like a Pancreatic "thing" with antibiotics. Give Maisey a kiss from us and hang in there. Will be checking to see how Maisey is doing. Art & Powder
Art & Powder
During the early 1980's I had a standard poodle that had Addisons disease. Yes it is treatable- he needed a monthly shot to keep it in bay. Yes it is the opposite of Cushings. Just stick with a good vet if you have one and don't worry. Sallie-
Sallie
Tricia, I was so hoping Maisy was back to her normal self after your last post. I am so sorry to hear about the latest news. It seems that a lot of Maltese get this illness, unfortunately. I had a Cushionoid Malt who ended up Addisonian. (Or was it the other way around?) It's been awhile and my memory fails me a bit, but it was very difficult to diagnose at that time, and he almost died before they caught this condition. Luckily, you have caught Maisy's condition fairly early. He was on so many medications, and it was hard to control, but he lived with it for many years, and lived to be 15. He did develop diabetes as a result, and also total blindness from the diabetes. It sounds like they have come up with a better way to treat this now. My mother's Maltese has also just been diagnosed with Cushing's. She is 14. But take HEART: with the proper meds, this thing can be handled just fine, and they can live a long and relatively healthy life. Much good luck to you and Maisy! Kisses from Kashi.
Cindy & Kashi
My Augie was diagnosed with Cushings. I believe he was overmedicated and it turned into Addisons. But it wasn't treated right away because he was also diagnosed with chronic active hepatitis..I finally brought him to a holistic vet who convinced my vet to check for addisons, but it was too late. Still not sure if I lost him to the addisons or from the hepatitis. He was only 10. I think if you've caught it in time you can control it.
Sue & Sophia
Tricia, if Addison's Disease in dogs is anything like it is in people, it can be controlled with medication. My brother has it and takes medication in pill form every day. Aside from having to take the medicine, the disease doesn't seem to interfere with his life in any way. Most people don't even realize he has it.
Lynne
Tricia, I was so sorry to hear that dear little Maisy is sick again but HOPE they are zeroing in on what the problem is. Bless her heart, she has had such a hard time and I know what a worry it is for you. She is just lucky that she has a Mom who has given her such wonderful care. We will continue to keep all of you in our prayers and thoughts. Art, you and Powder will be in our prayers also.
Jeanne and Sugar
Thanks everyone for your help. Well, I guess it's not Addison's disease afterall. I don't know whether to be happy or sad about it. Maisy's holding her own. My vet is throwing up his hands at this cuz nothing is going in any direction that it should to diagnos anything particular. (Personally, I think she has a very resistant infection that did a number on her) Anyway, we are going to be referred to a specialist who has been consulting on her case to do further tests like ultrasounds and maybe a kidney biopsy? She's acting fine now, though, but tomorrow, who knows. Art, I hope that Powder is feeling better by now. He'll be in my prayers. Thanks again everyone.
Tricia, Maisy and Beau
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