Minnie: A Spaniel With Addisons Disease and Separation Anxiety

Addison's disease in dogs, also known as hypoadrenocorticism, is a hormonal disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands fail to produce sufficient cortisol and aldosterone, essential steroid hormones. While it can affect any dog, middle-aged female dogs are more commonly affected. Addison's disease can be managed effectively with hormone replacement therapy, allowing dogs to lead normal lives.

 Symptoms are often vague and can vary in severity. Common signs include: 

• Lethargy and weakness: Dogs may appear tired and have reduced energy levels. 
• Weight loss and anorexia: Decreased appetite and difficulty maintaining weight are common. 
• Vomiting and diarrhoea: Digestive upset can be a symptom. 
• Increased thirst and urination: Dogs may drink and urinate more frequently. 
• Shaking or shivering: These can be signs of muscle weakness or low blood sugar. 
• Collapse or shock-like symptoms: Severe cases can lead to an Addisonian crisis, which is a medical emergency. 

How Cortisol Works in Dogs:

• Acute Stress Response: When a dog experiences a sudden, intense stressor, cortisol levels rise rapidly, providing energy for the "fight or flight" response.

• Chronic Stress: Prolonged stress can lead to consistently high cortisol levels, which can negatively impact the immune system, muscle tissue, and even metabolism.

• Behavioural Effects: High cortisol levels can contribute to anxiety, fear, and aggression in dogs.

Minnie, a springer spaniel I met in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire has had a diagnosis of Addison’s, but also suffers from separation anxiety. The combination of the two can be potentially fatal, particularly if the anxiety were to lead to a large spike in cortisol whilst her owners were not at home and Minnie were to collapse.

My task was to help her owners work out a way of taking Minnie through her day to day, without exposing her to stressful situations.

Sometimes, the way we share our emotions with dogs, although done with our best intentions at heart, can often exacerbate or create behavioural instabilities in our dogs due to differences with our own psychology and access to emotion.

Minnie is a naturally calm and subservient dog, and although dogs today are far removed from their ancestor the wolf, they still require basic rules, boundaries and direction each day when they live in a domestic environment with humans. Often, the lack of these things can lead to problems such as separation anxiety, and was indeed the case with Minnie.

Whereas many trainers and behaviourists will insist dogs have to be exposed to as many dogs as possible on a regular basis, in the case of Minnie I have suggested the opposite. Minnie has a couple of very calm doggy friends which is absolutely fine, but over exposure to strange dogs increases the likelihood of her coming across an out of control or unstable dog which would cause her body to need a spike in cortisol, something she is unable to do.

Prior to Minnie’s current home, she was in a different home living amongst other dogs and cats. Some might think that getting another dog would solve the problem, but another dog presents a lot of potential issues over time, particularly with regards to territorial behaviour and hierarchy that can develop.

As her separation anxiety is not on an extreme level and only really presents itself when she is home with one person, I have recommended her owners to get a kitten. Why a kitten? Minnie has a very calm personality and has also shown herself to have quite a maternal side. A cat does not pose any of the potential challenges over time that a dog may and a kitten is something that she can build a solid bond with over time. As Minnie has come from an environment with constant company. The kitten will fill a void and make it easier for her owners to keep her calm at home.