Addison's disease survey documents awareness need

Greensboro, N.C.-About 64 percent of dog owners visited at least two veterinarians before a diagnosis of Addison's disease was made to their pets.

The results of a 246-pet owner survey of dogs diagnosed with Addison'sdisease were recently released after the independent research was conductedby Burke Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio, and sponsored by Novartis Animal Health.

Novartis says the study is the largest ever conducted with owners ofdogs with Addison's disease.

According to the survey results, 30 percent of the dog owners visitedat least three veterinarians and 12 percent visited at least four veterinariansbefore an Addison's diagnosis was confirmed by veterinarians.

Dr. G.C. Ritchie with Novartis Animal Health tells DVM Newsmagazine thatit signals a need for awareness of the clinical signs and testing optionsfor veterinarians.

Dr. Catherine Scott-Moncrieff, an endocrinologist at Purdue University,says, "I definitely believe Addison's disease is under-diagnosed, andthis research corroborates that belief."

Scott-Moncrieff adds, "This is isn't a reflection of veterinarians'ability to diagnose, but the results of this research clearly indicate astrong need for more education, particularly with atypical dogs that havenormal sodium and potassium levels."

That is the point, says Ritchie, the symptoms for Addison's disease areshared by a host of other more common health conditions. Symptoms may includelethargy, weakness, general change in behavior, gastrointestinal problems,like vomiting and diarrhea. Scott-Moncrieff explains, "It is easy tounderstand how veterinarians may miss the disease since there is no oneclinical sign specific to Addison's and the signs resemble other problemssuch as parvovirus, renal failure and hepatic disease. Another complicatingfactor is that Addisonian dogs often respond initially to general therapywith fluids and corticosteroids, but then relapse days, weeks or monthslater."

Addison's can be challenging for pet owners too, Ritchie adds.

"We didn't really expect to find out how frustrated they were ingetting a diagnosis made." Ritchie adds that when a diagnosis was made,pet owners called their veterinarians heroes.

Novartis also developed a comprehensive monograph on Addison's diseasethat is available to practitioners on request through their Novartis representativeor by calling (800) 637-0281.