title: Atypical Addison's disease in the dog: a retrospective survey of 14 cases.
abstract: Fourteen dogs diagnosed with Addison's disease and having atypical serum electrolyte levels are described. Seventy-eight percent were female, and most showed signs of inappetence, weakness, or vomiting. Ninety-three percent of the cases had either hyponatremia without hyperkalemia or normal serum electrolyte concentrations. Hemogram features were variable and were not useful in suggesting a diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism. The results of this study show that normal or mild serum electrolyte changes in a dog with clinical signs compatible with Addison's disease should not exclude this diagnosis from consideration. Definitive diagnosis depends on the demonstration of inadequate adrenocortical response to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sadek
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schaer
mesh_terms: D000224:Addison Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium