Addison's Disease: The Stealth Killer That Mimics Everything

Dr. Rosemary Stolzer-Bolton, DVM, DVMCaninePre-RACE approval · 0.5–3 CE creditsFree Preview

Addison's disease kills dogs that were treated for IBD. This course follows Willow, a 5-year-old Standard Poodle who visited the emergency room three times before collapsing in Addisonian crisis — and rebuilds every missed diagnostic opportunity along the way. From the pathophysiology of aldosterone and cortisol loss through emergency crisis management, DOCP vs. fludrocortisone protocols, stress dosing, and the integrative adjuncts used in recovery, this course gives clinicians the tools to catch hypoadrenocorticism the first time.

Learning Objectives

  • 1Recognize the classic and atypical presentations of canine hypoadrenocorticism including the absent stress leukogram, Na:K ratio screening threshold, and the waxing/waning GI history that distinguishes Addison's from primary gastrointestinal disease
  • 2Explain the pathophysiologic consequences of aldosterone and cortisol deficiency and connect each clinical abnormality in an Addisonian crisis — hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, hypoglycemia, bradycardia, and absent stress response — to its mechanism
  • 3Execute the Addisonian crisis treatment protocol in correct sequence: 0.9% NaCl at shock rate, calcium gluconate for cardioprotection, dexamethasone (not prednisolone) to preserve ACTH stimulation test validity, and cosyntropin 5 mcg/kg for definitive diagnosis
  • 4Prescribe chronic mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid replacement using DOCP at 2.2 mg/kg IM q25 days or fludrocortisone at 0.01-0.02 mg/kg PO q12h, and apply the correct stress dosing protocol for mild, moderate, and severe stressors
  • 5Screen for atypical Addison's using resting cortisol as a low-cost, high-sensitivity tool and design an appropriate monitoring schedule for DOCP dose titration using electrolyte rechecks at 2 weeks and before each subsequent injection

Course Syllabus

  1. 1
    Meet Willow: The Dog Everyone MissedPreview

    module-1-meet-willow

    8 min
  2. 2
    Pathophysiology: When the Adrenals Fail

    module-2-pathophysiology

    9 min
  3. 3
    Emergency Treatment: The Addisonian Crisis

    module-3-emergency-treatment

    10 min
  4. 4
    Chronic Management: DOCP vs Fludrocortisone

    module-4-chronic-management

    9 min
  5. 5
    Integrative Adrenal Support

    module-5-integrative-support

    7 min
  6. 6
    Willow's Recovery: Case Resolution

    module-6-case-resolution

    8 min

Final Assessment

10 questions · Passing score: 70%

Complete all course modules to unlock the assessment. Upon passing, your CE certificate will be generated automatically.