Addison's disease in a bitch

A three-year old Groenendael bitch presented with anorexia, lethargy and chronic vomiting. Ancillary examinations revealed renal insufficiency, mild hyponatraemia and moderate hyperkalaemia. The diagnosis of Addison's disease was confirmed using an ACTH stimulation test. The symptoms stopped with treatment consisting of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Addison's disease should be suspected in any young dog, but particularly females, with lethargy, vomiting and anorexia. It is characterised by unremarkable symptoms (isosthenuria, mild changes in the ionogram). The diagnosis is confirmed by hypocorticoidism (indicated by ACTH stimulation test) in combination with hypoaldosteronism (hyperkalaemia and hyponatraemia).