Another Addison’s Dog – Another Missed Diagnosis
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This is a brief story about my beautiful, sweet dog, Birdy. Birdy was a typical happy golden retriever who, just weeks before her third birthday, began to experience behavioral and coordination issues. The vets first diagnosed her with Addison’s, but an ACTH test came back borderline negative and they never re-considered what would later be recognized to be an accurate diagnosis. Birdy was correctly diagnosed and treated on September 10, 2008, 6 weeks after her first Addisonian collapse (also referred to as an Addisonian Crisis). She originally collapsed on July 24, 2008. Unfortunately, too much time had passed, the kidneys and liver had ceased to function. Birdy responded to the treatment, but succumbed September 11, just ten days before what would have been her third birthday. This video is dedicated to my sweet, beautiful dog, but it’s posted to bring awareness to dog owners that ACTH tests can be inaccurate and the symptoms of Addison’s are varied. Almost always, there is diahhrea dark or black stool, hair loss and behavioral changes. Birdy did not ever vomit, something they looked for and its absence was part of the reason she was misdiagnosed. She was compelled in a disoriented way to forward motion, like an alzheimer’s first stage patient. Lethargy only set in late in the illness. Her sodium level was non-existant and her potassium level was off the chart. Again, Addison’s occurs in females between 1-4 years old. Even if the test is negative, it may still be …
21 Comments
February 17th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
My heart goes out to you and also many others who have any type of pet that goes through pain. I know only first hand how we all feel. We take our animals to vets not even having much money but trying everything we can to help them get better, feel good and be happy. Unfortunately it gets to the point the dog keeps suffering, looks at you like i love you mum but just cant be here anymore and you feel like you have to put them down because the pain is too great while the vet cannot do his job.
February 17th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Hi, My dog IS 11.5 and has a high fever.. He stumbles, and rarely wants to eat… He sometimes drinks water.. However, I have to feed him with a dropper.
I brought him to the vet and they said they would have to do more tests.. Anyone have a idea on what tests to have him do? I am out of work and financially broke but want him to heal.. Thanks.. Please offer your prayers for his recovery.
February 17th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
oh my god im so sorry i have 3 dogs and ones like 16 and i dont want him to pass away i hope and am glad she lived a lovely life
February 17th, 2011 at 7:23 pm
and your dog is very beatiful
February 17th, 2011 at 7:23 pm
i am so sorry for your loss and all people who own pets would all feel the same aftr a loss of an animal and espically a dog they are mans bestfriend its the hardest to make a dog close and yet it happens so early they hav to leave but there in a better place its the close things that matters
February 17th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
my sincere apologies for your loss. my dog has just been diagnosed with addisons disease and luckily enough for him it has been identified at an early stage. dogs rpovide such a priceless relationship in the lives of people. i can see how difficult this must have been for you to deal with. my heart goes out to you
February 17th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
To all of you who have posted such kind words of sympathy, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. As you might imagine, watching this hurts even now, though Birdy was the great gift to my life. Please know your words carried me and I am grateful.
The field in the video is Fair Oaks Phoenix Park where Birdy walked every morning and night and loved. Her ‘golden fields of barley.’
Apologies for the editing mistakes at the end.. I dont repair it because real tears caused it, so it stays,
February 17th, 2011 at 9:22 pm
You had a great dog. You did all you could.
February 17th, 2011 at 9:40 pm
I am so very sorry for your loss.
My 18 month old Border Collie was diagnosed with Addison’s a few months ago. Like your dog, his ACTH test was questionable, but we were lucky enough that our vet pushed for an ultrasound and was able to confirm it. While it is not 100% under control yet, he’s gained 11 lbs and we’re working on it.
February 17th, 2011 at 10:04 pm
I am so sorry for your loss
My dog was diagnosed with Addison disease yesterday – Christmas Eve.
He is still hospitalized today.
February 17th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
im so sorry for your loss had tears in my eyes when watching this i had to go through a similar thing with my dobie who was only 14 months old had to get her put to sleep five months ago didnt know what was wrong with her! it breaks your heart will never forget my baby
February 17th, 2011 at 11:37 pm
I am very sorry about the loss of your golden. I can only say that my experience at UC Davis Vet Teaching Hospital was just the opposite of yours. Riley, an English Pointer, was diagnosed with atypical Addisons four years ago. (Atypical because most diagnosis occurs near or at death.) Riley is alive today because of UCD.
February 17th, 2011 at 11:47 pm
I am so sorry for your loss, I know it really hurts to lose your golden. They love so much and that is hard to find. My tears are for you.
February 18th, 2011 at 12:03 am
OMG!! i’m so sorry about you’r dog
I’ve also just lost my dog 
we or the vets never found out what was wrong 
February 18th, 2011 at 12:40 am
My dog Sadie was diagonsised with Addisons 5 years ago. She almost died in my arms when her body system crashed on labor day weekend. I was lucky my vet knew what was wrong and send me to a specialist in Akron Ohio. This is treatable. She did not have to died because some vet does not know what to do.
I am so sorry that Birdy’s vet was not able to figure out what was wrong with her in time.
February 18th, 2011 at 1:21 am
God bless ya, i know how it feels,you get so darn attached
February 18th, 2011 at 2:10 am
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Birdy looks like my Doobie. She has some symptoms of Addison’s but they are not sure if thats whats wrong with her. Hopefully we will find out after we take her back to the vet again today. She will only eat if I hand feed her and she takes in very little water and I am very worried. Many huggz to you. Your Birdie will Always be with you in your heart.
February 18th, 2011 at 2:19 am
Im sorry for your loss. My dog COREY has been living on with addisons for 3 long years!He is now 6 years old and the battle goes on.
February 18th, 2011 at 2:41 am
Beautiful dog, I’m so sorry you lost her.
February 18th, 2011 at 3:40 am
Im so sorry about your loss. I have a 7 year old great dane and out of the blue started having diahhrea off and on and is now vomitting. He sometimes doesn’t eat and drinks alot of water. I have taken him in for x rays and blood work and no answers. I hate that I can’t help him and I feel so sorry for him while we continue to try to figure this out. After doing research online, I see alot of Addison’s symptons.
February 18th, 2011 at 4:08 am
Am sorry to hear the loss of your Birdy, May she rest in peace she was so beautiful