Canine Addisons/Our Bracken's Story

[sabroc]

has anyone come across Addisons in GSD's?

I personally found out about it in a very unfortunate way when our Bracken was on deaths door last March, thankfully our vet was ace and well she's still here today.

Just wondering if this is something you have come across, we have been contacted by quite a few people (mainly GSD owners) and although I don't think there are any stats to back it up, it appears that Addisons is on the increase.

This is our Bracken's story (just reading it brings tears to our eyes )

link to my site and Bracken's story: Bracken's Story

[LOVEGSD]

Sorry I haven't any experience with this, so glad that your vet saved Bracken though, you must have been so relieved!

Hi

so glad Bracken was saved it is hard sometimes for vets to diagnose in time.
Our dog Amber had it for 10 years she was not pure GSD but had a lot in her. She got it before she was 2 years old and just collapsed as you mention a 'crisis'. IT took us a year of visiting the vet to get her stable! over the years we had to increase the florinef to 18 tablets a day and other tablets but she had a good life albeit not a normal one as we had to be careful not to stress her. even a trip to the vets can be fatal if they are 'low'.

If you need to know anything please ask, we have had 10 years of caring for her and have learned a great deal. she was very happy and died June 2009 when her back legs gave way and we decided that she was no longer happy then.

There is no reason to think your absolutely beautiful dog won't live a good life, I have never seen colourings like that!
I am sure you know to reduce stress as much as poss and we have had many crisis during the years, the earlier you recognise them the better. Amber also began on a drip thankfully not in such a bad condition as poor Bracken. Aren't they brave

Just to let you know we put a pinch of salt in her meal every day and that helped her electrolytes although it is not a veterinary fact but sort of an experiment one of our vets colleagues suggested. We definitely noticed a decline when we did not give salt.

wish u all the best, at least you know now
Sarahx

This is why forums are so important, its nice to be able to talk about the normal things that we and our dogs get up to, but it is also important to be able to share the more serious side, and to learn from others.

Thanks for sharing this, and we hope that Bracken will always be the very best she can be.

Stuart

[sabroc]

thanks guys

Sarah, we add salt to Bracken's food too & like it did for you it's made a big difference

Poor Amber - 18 Florinef is a fair bit! for Bracken's weight we have been told that the recommeded dose is 7 tablets but she's on eight but it does differ dog to dog alot, our vet treats a little westie for the condition & it takes 22 a day!!!

thankfully (touch wood) Bracken has not had a crisis since June & amazingly she's more happy then ever, she has even started to play with toys this year, something that she has never done before and just to see her so happy really touches our hearts

She has lost her undercoat though which is a side affect of the steroids and its difficult to accept sometimes, esp when brushing her but she has a nice warm coat for winter time.


Steve

A heart renching story and im so pleased the outcome was good and Bracken made it through
She is Beautiful
Thank you for sharing this x

[GSDOWNER]

This is our Bracken's story (just reading it brings tears to our eyes )

just been reading it and it made me cry xx

[super D]

Im very pleased that Bracken came through, Must of been very very scary.
I think with this thread it hi-lights this condition, which is valuable for other owners too.
Thank you for sharing this
xx

[DelsMum]

My friends 13 year old terrier has suspected Addisions- I will share this with her asap!

[hippychickuk]

my heart goes out to you.i have no experience with addisons in dogs,but my mum died of the disease.this disease is so cruel.