Quote Originally Posted by Jakesmom
Just an FYI, your vet probably knows this info. If you are sick and have an inadequate adrenal response (ie, your cortisol is not as elevated as it should be by the stress of your illness), you will be even sicker. You will improve with steroids, like Chipper did, but it won't cure or treat the underlying illness. It would be unusual for Addison's to not have abnormal electrolytes (and its pretty amazing if his electrolytes were normal with all the vomiting and diarrhea, but they produce opposite electrolyte changes so sometimes they sort of cancel each other out when you check labs).

So, good for the vets that they are continuing to look and not be satisfied with his initial response to the steroids. Hopefully Addison's is it, as it would be easy to treat.

Jakesmom
Disturbances in electrolytes is usually only found in primary Addison's disease or where the adrenal glands themselves are incapable of producing insufficient cortisol. When in the rare event sodium/potassium levels become imbalanced in secondary Addison's disease especially high potassium it can lead to rapid heart failure.

Vomiting, lethargy are common symptoms. Signs of Kidney failure can occur, and that sometimes misleads the Vet. An ACTH challenge test is the only true test that will confirm Addison's disease, and it's a given the Vet school will run that test to measure the adrenal response.

The most common cause of secondary Addison's is prolonged administration of a cortisteroid such as Prednisone and stopping suddenly. If external drugs are not involved another common cause is a Pituitary tumor. It suppresses the Adrenal glands production of cortisol. Usually the tumor is very slow growing and not addressed. Other secondary hormonal causes which suppress adrenal function can cause secondary Addison's disease.

Treatment consists of the administration of oral fludrocortisone acetate (Flurinaf) for the rest of the dog's life. It will be important to minimize stressful conditions e.g. avoid hot/cold environmental temperatures. Likewise a controlled diet will be important in the future.

It sounds like the Vet school is doing a very complete, and excellent job with the diagnostics.