Adrenal Disease In Dogs
Happy Wednesday, everyone! Today, we are talking about Adrenal Disease In Dogs. I can speak firsthand on this because we just found out Maggie, after many tests, has bilateral tumors on her adrenal gland that indicate a possible benign growth. She may also have Cushing’s Disease, which I’ll explain below.
First, I would like to send out love and prayers to those affected by the plane crashes in Philadelphia and DC—our condolences to those lost and to the families who are suffering. We would also like to send love and prayers to those affected by California fires. Sending love and prayers to the victims and their families of the brutal Nola attack in New Orleans. Sending prayers for all the displaced animals from the wildfires.
*I apologize for such a long blog, but I have a good bit of information that can hopefully help you if you ever have to deal with or are dealing with a pup with adrenal disease and tumors.
Many appointments for Maggie with Jake by her side!
We have taken Maggie to many vet appointments over the last few months. Here are pictures of the dogs at appointments, driving to Columbus, and resting at home.
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Maggie has given us quite the scare recently with a torn ACL, extended stomach, frequent urination, high blood pressure, high calcium levels, pot belly appearance, excessive panting, drinking more water, and what seems like a UTI.
We have made trips to our local vet and ended up at OSU to meet with Internal Medicine and Orthopedics. The ACL operation has been put on the back burner for now until her blood pressure comes down and we get her adrenal issues resolved. She is on high blood pressure medication (Amlodipine), as well as pain pills (Rimadyl), which have seemed to keep her comfortable. All vets agree that she is moving around pretty well for having a torn ACL. We will be back up at OSU this month to run more tests along with extensive bloodwork, blood pressure checks, and urine tests to confirm whether Cushing’s or not, formulate another plan, and hopefully be able to move forward with scheduling an ACL surgery.
Adrenal disease in dogs is a condition where the adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, do not produce enough or too many hormones. There are two main types of adrenal disease in dogs:
1. Addison’s Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism)
Cause: Destruction or under function of the adrenal glands
Symptoms: Lethargy, weakness, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst and urination, weight loss
Diagnosis: Blood and urine tests
Treatment: Hormone replacement therapy with hydrocortisone and mineralocorticoid
2. Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism)
Cause: Overproduction of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands
Symptoms: Increased appetite, weight gain, thinning of the skin, excessive panting, increased thirst and urination, muscle weakness
Diagnosis: Blood and urine tests, imaging tests (e.g., ultrasound, CT scan)
Treatment: Depends on the underlying cause, may include medication, surgery, or radiation therapy
Other Signs and Complications:
Both Addison’s and Cushing’s disease can cause electrolyte imbalances, which can lead to seizures, heart problems, and death.
Dogs with adrenal disease may be more susceptible to infections and other health issues.
In advanced stages, both conditions can be life-threatening.
Prognosis
The prognosis for adrenal disease depends on the underlying cause and how early it is diagnosed and treated. With proper treatment, many dogs with adrenal disease can live long and healthy lives.
Types of Adrenal Tumors:
The main types of adrenal tumors in dogs are pheochromocytomas, adrenocortical carcinomas, adenomas, and aldosteromas.
Pheochromocytoma
A neuroendocrine tumor that originates in the adrenal medulla. It’s usually benign but can be malignant and spread to the liver, lungs, lymph nodes, or blood vessels.
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC)
A cancerous tumor that originates in the adrenal cortex, the outer layer of the adrenal gland. It’s the most common primary adrenal gland cancer in dogs.
Adenoma
A tumor that originates in the cortex of the adrenal gland.
Aldosteronoma
A noncancerous tumor that originates in the outer part of the adrenal gland. It causes the gland to produce too much aldosterone.
Adrenal tumors can cause serious health issues, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular instability, and Cushing’s disease.
Treatment
Surgical removal, called an adrenalectomy, is a primary treatment option for adrenal tumors. Smaller tumors may be treated with advanced imaging techniques.
*Note: I’m giving you Maggie’s medical report from our last trip to OSU with Dr. He should you ever experience what we are going through with your pet. I hope this can help you.
For Maggie’s Hypertension:
Hypertension in dogs can result from various underlying conditions, including adrenal masses, which may produce excess hormones such as catecholamines (pheochromocytoma) or aldosterone (primary hyperaldosteronism).
Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) is another potential cause, as elevated cortisol levels can contribute to increased blood pressure. Other possible causes, such as chronic kidney disease or idiopathic hypertension, were also discussed; however, based on today’s bloodwork, chronic kidney disease is less likely. At this time, her blood pressure appears to be well-managed with Amlodipine, but we will continue to monitor for any changes.
For Maggie’s Adrenal Masses:
On her previous ultrasound, only a left adrenal mass was identified. However, today’s imaging showed small nodules on both adrenal glands. These findings are consistent with benign growths or changes, such as adrenal nodular hyperplasia or small tumors (adenomas). Although less likely, more serious conditions, such as adrenal cancer or a hormone-producing tumor (pheochromocytoma), cannot be ruled out at this time.
Additionally, Maggie’s ionized calcium is elevated. We will coordinate with Maggie’s primary care veterinarian to send out an additional panel to further evaluate her calcium levels and the associated pathways. This will provide a more comprehensive assessment to determine if her elevated calcium is linked to an underlying condition.
Given these findings and the potential link to Maggie’s hypertension, we are moving forward with a urine metanephrine test and a low-dose dexamethasone suppression (LDDS) test. These tests will help us determine whether the adrenal masses affect her hormone levels and contribute to her symptoms. At this time, we recommend continued monitoring of Maggie’s blood pressure and overall health.
Diagnostics:
CBC (Complete Blood Count): This test checks the red and white blood cells and platelets, helping us
identify conditions like anemia, infections, or inflammation.
Biochemistry Profile: This panel evaluates organ function (liver, kidneys, etc.), electrolytes, and
metabolic health to detect underlying issues. Maggie’s ALP (one of the liver values) and cholesterol is
elevated. When these two values are elevated together, it can be an indication of endocrine disease. an
LDDS test is recommended to further investigate. Meanwhile, we should recheck these values at Maggie’s next recheck appointment.
Ionized Calcium: Measures the active form of calcium in the blood to evaluate for conditions like
hypercalcemia, which can be associated with certain tumors or other illnesses. Maggie’s ionized calcium
is mildly elevated, we will keep monitoring this value.
Clotting Factors (PT/PTT): These tests assess how well the blood clots and help rule out any bleeding or clotting disorders. Results were normal. Maggie’s clotting factors are normal.
Abdominal CT: Maggie’s imaging showed small changes in both adrenal glands, which could be due to
benign growths (nodular hyperplasia) or small tumors (adenomas). While less likely, more serious
conditions such as adrenal cancer or hormone-producing tumors (pheochromocytoma) cannot be ruled out at this time.
Urine Metanephrine Test: pending – Note: This test was completed last Monday with samples dropped off on Tuesday morning. I had to take a urine sample each time she peed within a 24-hour period and combine it with all the urine from that day into two small tubes while keeping it all refrigerated. Then, within a 24-hour period from her last urine of the night, I had to get it to our local vet to be sent out to the testing center that OSU uses. Please collect a urine sample from Maggie in one week. Stressful events, such as a veterinary visit, can affect the accuracy of the test results. If Maggie experiences any stressful event within the next seven days, please wait an additional week before collecting the sample to ensure the most reliable results.
Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) is another potential cause, as elevated cortisol levels can contribute to increased blood pressure. Other possible causes, such as chronic kidney disease or idiopathic hypertension, were also discussed; however, based on today’s bloodwork, chronic kidney disease is less likely. At this time, her blood pressure appears to be well-managed with Amlodipine, but we will continue to monitor for any changes. Note: Maggie’s blood pressure went from over 300 to 120, which OSU was happy with. We have to maintain that!
For Maggie’s Adrenal Masses:
On her previous ultrasound, only a left adrenal mass was identified. However, today’s imaging showed small nodules on both adrenal glands. These findings are consistent with benign growths or changes, such as adrenal nodular hyperplasia or small tumors (adenomas). Although less likely, more serious conditions, such as adrenal cancer or a
Hormone-producing tumor (pheochromocytoma) cannot be ruled out at this time.
Additionally, Maggie’s ionized calcium is elevated. We will coordinate with Maggie’s primary care veterinarian to send out an additional panel to further evaluate her calcium levels and the associated pathways. This will provide a more comprehensive assessment to determine if her elevated calcium is linked to an underlying condition.
Given these findings and the potential link to Maggie’s hypertension, we are moving forward with a urine
metanephrine test and a low-dose dexamethasone suppression (LDDS) test. These tests will help us determine whether the adrenal masses are affecting her hormone levels and contributing to her symptoms.
At this time, we recommend continued monitoring of Maggie’s blood pressure and overall health.
Jake having lunch with us at Town Hall in Columbus, OH
While Maggie was having her CAT scan done, we took Jake to Town Hall in Columbus, OH for some lunch. We love it there because we get to take the dogs inside to eat with us; their food is amazing, all doggies get a homemade cookie, and they have a dog menu! The waitresses immediately bring over a bowl of water (which Jake got all over the floor) and are so nice!
Check out my previous blog on Jake’s ACL surgery at Ohio State University and our trip to dog-friendly Columbus:
Jake’s Surgery At Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center And Dog Friendly Columbus, OH
Monitoring
Please closely monitor Maggie for any signs that may indicate worsening hypertension. These can include restlessness, lethargy, nosebleeds, changes in vision (such as bumping into objects), or abnormal behaviors like disorientation. Be alert for signs of acute target organ damage, such as sudden weakness, difficulty breathing, or seizures. If you have a blood pressure monitoring device approved by your veterinarian, you can take periodic readings when Maggie is calm and relaxed to help track her blood pressure.
As of yesterday, it is confirmed that Maggie does have a very bad UTI and is on antibiotics (Clavamox 375mg) every 12 hours for 14 days to help clear it up. She is resting and doing fine. Mr. TAL and I are staying home with her, and Jake watches over us like always. If your pet has not experienced a UTI before, it is painful. Lots of pressure, frequent urination with straining, blood in the urine, and a strong urine smell. Maggie threw up prior to me realizing she had one, which was also an indication for me as she is prone to getting Urinary tract infections (UTIs). I give her 1 cranberry tablet by AZO every morning. AZO can be bought at any Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger, or Amazon. Your vet might recommend something as well.
I hope this helps you understand the adrenal gland a bit more. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. If you ever find yourself making an appointment at OSU, it is an amazing place, and you and your pet are in good hands. Check out my blog from when we had to take Jake for his ACL surgeries. Based on the questionnaire I put out last month, I had several requests to blog once a week again instead of once a month. Starting in February, you will see an email from me every week, most likely on Wednesdays like before. I appreciate everyone’s feedback and will try to give you what you asked for. I will keep you all posted on the ongoing changes to the site and blog. Thank you all for your support.
Love,
Bobbi Jo, Jake, and Maggie!
Interested in more pet health-related topics, check them out here:
I’m Bobbi Jo, a lab-lover who took my passion for animals and dogs and turned it into something bigger. When I adopted Jake and Maggie, my love for them became the driving force behind Two Adorable Labs, and my blog was born. My hope is to not only share them with the world, but to help educate others on the importance of animal health and well-being.
Two Adorable Labs has become a collection of all that I love. I’ll send one post each week on things that bring me joy on animal health, home decor, and food recipes for humans and our furry friends. I hope you enjoy these posts and much as I do creating them!
I love hearing from all of you and do my best to respond to each and every one of you. I always enjoy your comments, feedback, and suggestions so keep them coming! If I’ve posted a recipe (for our human and our furry friends) and you try it, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @twoadorablelabs and use #twoadorablelabs.
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Love, Jake and Maggie
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