What is Addison's?
It is the common name for hypoadrenocorticism, or adrenal insufficiency.
Symptoms of Addison's
The symptoms of Addison’s disease can be vague and may wax and wane over months and years, which makes diagnosis of the disease difficult. An Addison’s affected dog can show signs at any age, but most exhibit symptoms between the ages of 4-7 years. Initially, the dog may be listless, or seem depressed. Many dogs are described as just seeming off, or losing the normal sparkle in their eye. Lack of appetite is another symptom. Other symptoms include gastro-intestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea. Pain in the hindquarters, or generalized muscle weakness is not uncommon. Shivering or muscle tremors may also be present.
In Poodles and Poodle crosses the type of Addison’s disease is Secondary Addison's. Secondary hypoadrenocorticism is from failure of the pituitary to stimulate the adrenals with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). For definitive diagnosis the dog is given the ACTH stimulation or response test. This tests the ability of the adrenal glands to produce the corticosteroid hormone cortisol.
If the adrenals continue deteriorating in an Addison’s dog, ultimately he will have an acute episode called an Addisonian crisis. Potassium levels elevate and disrupt normal function of the heart. Arrhythmias can result and blood pressure drops to dangerously low levels. BUN and creatinine levels, generally indicators of kidney function, are often elevated. At this point many animals are diagnosed with renal failure, as the kidneys are unable to function properly. Typically animals are given IV solutions for rehydration, which may produce an almost miraculous recovery. This too, is a great indication that failure of the adrenals rather than of the kidneys is creating the symptoms.
Addison's, Australian Labradoodles, and Labradoodles
Addison's disease has been detected in a very limited number of the Australian Labradoodles and Labradoodles. It is a disease that cannot be screened for prior to the expression of the disease as there are no known genetic markers for this disorder. The Poodle Club of America and UC Davis are currently undertaking research to detect DNA that will diagnose affected dogs and dogs that are carriers, and the ALAA is proud to be involved in this study. The ALAA has also been working with Dr. Dodds, OFA, and other thyroid and Addison’s experts to understand Addison’s more thoroughly.
The following was relayed to the ALAA by experts on Addison's:
“Heritability of Addison's disease was evaluated in 778 standard Poodles with known Addisonian phenotypes. Only 8.6 per cent of the Poodles enrolled in the study were classified as being Addisonian. Complex segregation analyses suggested that Addison's in the breed was influenced by an autosomal recessive locus. Both parents must be carriers for the puppy to inherit Addison's disease.”
If you have an assumed carrier, or diagnosed Addison's Labradoodle or Australian Labradoodle, please confidentially contact the dog registrar at dogs@ilainc.com for your free DNA kit. This is not a test to detect Addison's, but a kit to collect your dog’s DNA to submit for the UC Davis study. Including your dog’s DNA sample in the research will lead to a genetic test being available sooner.
The ALAA database is tracking dogs that have produced offspring with Addison's.
ALAA Recommended Breeding Strategies
The main goal of the Addison’s breeding strategies below are to ensure that we never produce any affected puppies, however until DNA testing is available no one can ensure any Poodle or Poodle cross is not a carrier or affected.
Two strategies:
- Assumed Carrier - Assumed carriers are any dogs that have produced Addison's offspring. If a Labradoodle, Australian Labradoodle or Poodle has produced an Addison’s offspring it is suggested that the dog no longer be bred.
- Higher Risk Pedigree - Higher risk pedigrees are those that have the same pedigree lines as those that are assumed carriers, and in many cases have been inbred or line bred thus increasing these higher risk pedigrees multiple times. In addition, higher risk pedigrees have assumed carriers closer in relation to the current breeding dog, i.e. parent or grandparent. Production of affected dogs should be prevented by ensuring at least one parent is not of a higher risk pedigree.
Most of the Australian Labradoodle and Labradoodle breeding stock, even those with higher risk pedigrees, may continue to be used for breeding, thus maintaining genetic diversity within our breed. The ALAA recommends that breeders study their pedigrees and have a full knowledge of current assumed carriers. Poodle pedigrees should be studied in relation to the Poodle Club of America Addison’s database. Breeding dogs should have thyroid and TgAA testing every 18 months. If any offspring is diagnosed with Addison’s, please notify the ALAA so that others may benefit from adjusting their breeding strategies.
Please email or fax thyroid and TgAA results to the ALAA dog registrar at dogs@ilainc.com so that the database can be maintained and others with common ancestors can benefit from the testing that is being done.
Email the ALAA with any questions: dogs@ilainc.com.
Recommended Testing
Thyroid testing is not required to be a member breeder of the ALAA, but it is recommended. For those breeders who wish to surpass the basic level of testing required, thyroid testing, including the TgAA test, satisfies one of the requirements for the Gold Paw reward, as well as assists in screening for autoimmune thyroiditis or Addison’s disease.
Serum samples may be sent to an OFA approved laboratory, or to Dr. Dodd’s of Hemopet for screening. OFA thyroid testing automatically includes the TgAA screening. If using Dr. Dodd’s testing, you will need to request the TgAA add-on on the request form. Preliminary screening may be done under 12 months of age, however OFA certification will not be possible at this age.
Autoimmune thyroiditis is known to be heritable. Those dogs with laboratory results that are questionable - therefore, not definitive, are recommended to be re-tested in 3-6 months.
For more information on thyroid testing, please visit the following sites of interest:
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Australian Labradoodle Association of America, Inc.
