Fact Sheet
Disorder: Addison's Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism)
Variety of Poodle Affected: Standard
Description: Destruction of the adrenal gland which produces adrenal hormones
Symptoms: Depression, lack of appetite, vomiting and/or diarrhea with abdominal pain,
hypotensive shock with weakness and shivering.
Mode of Inheritance: Unknown, although two veterinary papers have been published
detailing Addison's in families of Standard Poodles. The research
suggests that Addison's may be passed by a simple autosomal recessive gene.
Method of Diagnosis: ACTH stimulation test; serum cortisal level determination; CBC
(complete blood count) in which eosinophil cells occur in higher
than normal numbers; i.e., sodium and potassium levels are abnormal.
Age of Onset: Varies (Note: In other breeds, Addison's is seen most often in middle
aged males. This information does not appear to be true in Standard
Poodles.)
Treatment: Florinef (fludrocortisone acetate) given orally daily for the remainder
of the dog's life.
Recommendations: Addison's is fatal if left undiagnosed and untreated. Dogs with
Addison's may have a crisis during periods of stress; i.e., during
boarding or grooming, etc. No dog that has been diagnosed with Addison's should be
used in a breeding program. A dog that has produced Addison's is a
carrier. Great care must be taken not to breed carrier to carrier.
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