The poodle is a breed that has a tendency to develop a disease called Addison's Disease.The carrier of the disease is not affected by it, but her offspring may develop it.You don't know if your dog will get the disease because there is no test for it.There are things that you can look for to help diagnose the disease.
Step 1: You can watch how she behaves.
There are some symptoms of the disease.She will change her behavior when these manifest in physical ways.If you see muscle weakness, it may be shaking or trembling.She might stop being able to play.She might have a decreased energy level and depression.This will cause her to sit or lay down.She may be less interested in you, in your family, or in activities she used to enjoy.She may be restless due to a stomach issue.She may lose her fur.In some cases, your poodle may collapse due to the disease.
Step 2: She should be monitored for eating and drinking.
Her eating and drinking habits can lead to her disease.Some of the most common and frequent symptoms of this condition are vomiting and feces.She might have an increase in her thirst.Increased urination is likely to be caused by this.She might lose weight because of her decreased appetite.She might have blood in her stool.
Step 3: There is a journal of symptoms.
If you notice more than one symptom in your dog, you should keep a record of it.Your vet will want to know the history of your poodle's symptoms.It is important to note how long the symptoms last and if the time between them changes over time.This will help your vet treat your poodle's disease.
Step 4: The symptoms develop.
In the early stages of the disease, the symptoms are mild.It can be hard to diagnose in this stage because they tend to come and go.Your dog will clear up after a day or two if they have episodes where the symptoms occur.The symptoms may come in waves, where she will have one symptom for a few days, then another will clear up.This is a common symptom of the stomach.Only muscle weakness or depression will clear up the symptoms.The symptoms of your poodle's health will get more intense and sporadic, which will eventually lead to her collapsing.It can take weeks to months for this to happen.Before she reaches this stage, try to take her to the vet.
Step 5: The stimulation test is for adrenocorticotropic hormone.
The most standard test for Addison's Disease is the ACTH stimulation test.If the section of the adrenal system that is unique to Addison's Disease is damaged, this test will show you.The aim of this test is to take a base level blood sample while your dog is at rest to get her resting level of cortisol, which is a stress hormone.She will be given an injection of synacthen, a hormone that makes her produce more cortisol.A blood sample will be taken about an hour after the injection to show her new level of cortisol.Your dog will not respond to the injection if it has Addison's disease.She will have the same levels of cortisol before and after the injection.
Step 6: You should get a blood test.
If your vet isn't sure about the disease, he may want to take a blood sample from your poodle to check her levels.He will be looking for her overall organ health, her specific mineral levels, and her red and white blood cell count.A shift in certain mineral levels in her blood stream can be caused by the disease.If there is a significant change in her blood's ration, it will help determine the cause of the disease.This test will help rule out other diseases and point your vet in the direction of Addison's disease.
Step 7: Have her X-ray done.
In some cases, your vet will x-ray your poodle to rule out other problems, such as a gastrointestinal obstruction due to a foreign object, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.It can show if there is a reduced blood volume in her heart caused by the disease.She has a reduced volume of circulating blood in her system due to dehydration.
Step 8: Learn about the disease.
Hypocortisolism is a symptom of Addison's Disease.The disease is called the great pretender because it mimics many other common problems in its early stages.Poodles can go into shock and die if they have severe cases of Addison's Disease.When a dog is a puppy until she is around five years old is when the disease is most common.Female dogs are more likely to have it.
Step 9: How does it affect your poodle?
Mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids are substances your Poodle needs to deal with the stresses she undergoes every day.These help regulate bodily functions.
Step 10: Know what's going on.
Damage to your dog's adrenal glands causes a decrease in mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid production.The most common cause of this damage is an autoimmune disease, which is when your dog's immune system works to destroy her own glandular tissue.
Step 11: If you have the disease, treat it.
If you diagnose the condition, it is possible to cure it.Your vet will give you oral tablets to replace the missing mineralocorticoid if your poodle has a condition.If your dog requires hormone replacement, it will have to be administered by your vet every three to four weeks.Adding a salt supplement to your dog's diet will help with the underlying salt deficiency caused by the disease.Your dog's life will be back to normal with the help of these two medications.
Step 12: Acute Addison's Disease can be treated.
An acute episode of Addison's Disease is a sudden and severe occurrence of the symptoms.She needs treatment if this happens.She will be hospitalized and the treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms your dog has.She will get treatment with hormones and fluids.She may die if she doesn't get help immediately.hormone replacement therapy is likely to be needed for the rest of your dog's life.