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View Previous Case of the
Month Reports- click here
 Mona
is a 23 month old German Shorthair Pointer, who presented to us last
month with a history of vomiting, diarrhea and in appetence for about a
week.
The owners had recently changed the diet and thought that might be the
cause of the problem. On presentation, Mona was depressed, lethargic and
dehydrated. She had no gross physical
abnormalities except watery diarrhea on rectal palpation.
Mona was tested for
intestinal parasites, and Parvovirus. Both tests were negative.
Radiographs of the belly were taken and
no obvious foreign bodies were found. Blood tests revealed mild
dehydration and some electrolyte abnormalities and evidence of
pancreatitis. Mona was started on intravenous fluids, anti- nausea
drugs and antibiotics. She improved greatly over the next 2 days and was
discharged feeling fine and eating well.
Three days later, Mona
returned to the clinic with the same original symptoms of vomiting and
weakness. Blood tests were repeated and were found to be normal except
for abnormal sodium and potassium values. Based on these findings, a
relatively uncommon disease known as
Addison's disease hypoadrenocorticism) was considered as a possible
cause. In this disease, the body does not make enough or any of the
hormone
Aldosterone in the adrenal
glands. Aldosterone is responsible for keeping the amount of sodium and
potassium in the blood regulated though its effects on the kidneys.
When the sodium gets too low, the symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea,
weakness and weight loss can occur. Addison's disease is often called
"the great pretender" because it presents like many other disease
states.
We performed a test called
the ACTH stimulation test on Mona which confirmed the diagnosis of
Addison's. She was started on a synthetic version of Aldosterone by
injection and responded beautifully within 24 hours. This drug has to
be administered once monthly to keep her healthy, but as long as she
gets it, her prognosis is quite good. She is at home with her owners
just waiting for hunting season to open!
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