Pets are far more than just animals to most people. I indeed can vouch for this analogy in my personal life. Prada, whom you will come to love and learn all about in my articles is a family member. She brings such joy and companionship to my life. As pet owners, we have a responsibility to ensure that our pets are healthy and happy. In simple terms, this means taking care of their health needs. But before we dig in too deep about PET HEALTH CARE I would like to introduce you to MISS PRADA!

MEET MISS PRADA – LEARN ALL ABOUT HER PET HEALTH CARE!”

Hello, I am MISS PRADA! First and foremost I would like to personally WELCOME YOU to “My Blog”!  My unique blog “Miss Pradas’ Corner”. Miss Pradas’ Corner is all about a beautiful Havanese and her human owner! Now, you do realize I don’t have thumbs and cannot really type or speak in “HUMAN JORGAN” so “ MY HUMAN OWNER” will narrate and translate for me! We indeed hope that you find some great informative information by learning from our pet health care journey!

Hi There, I am Jacqualyn “THE HUMAN OWNER”, I am also Ma as Prada refers to me! I too want to WELCOME YOU to “HER UNIQUE BLOG”. Prada’s diagnosis of  A-Typical Addisons  came when she was only 4.5 years old. We almost lost each other because of our lack of awareness and knowledge. At the time of this article, Prada will be 11 years old on June 28th, 2023. We have learned a tremendous amount about the disease in past years and the importance of Pet Health Care. But more importantly, felt the need to share our life journey in hopes of helping others avoid costly mistakes. Plus you can expect to find recommendations on products that are providing a much better quality of life for her.

One Not-So-Common Health Condition That Can Affect Dogs Is Addison’s Disease. Hypoadren Is Another Term For Addison’s.

Symptoms of Addison’s disease can develop over time and most often are very vague. Common symptoms include but are not limited to loss of appetite, diarrhea, lethargy, dehydration, and weight loss. Many times the disease masks itself as other illnesses, such as pancreatitis. If misdiagnosed or the disease goes untreated; Addison’s can and will lead to very serious complications. Complications for your pet. such as hypovolemic shock, a life-threatening condition which is caused by low blood volume.

Addison’s disease treatment typically involves some sort of hormone replacement therapy, which means replacing the hormones that the adrenal glands can not and are not producing. Usually a regular injection of synthetic hormones such as prednisone (corticosteroid- cortisone-like medicine or steroid).  or desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP – Percorten is the generic brand). The frequency of oral medication, and/or injections dosage will depend on the severity of the disease and the individual dog’s needs. It is important to note that hormone replacement therapy is a lifelong treatment, and regular monitoring of the dog’s hormone levels is essential to ensure that the dosage is correct.

Importance Of Pet Health Diets & Addison’s Disease

In addition to hormone replacement therapy, diet plays a huge role in managing Addison’s disease in your furry friend. Dogs with Addison’s disease often have high potassium and low sodium levels, which can and does cause a variety of health problems. Therefore, and in my experience it is very important to feed a diet that is low in potassium and high in sodium to help balance the levels.

There are many commercial dog foods available that are specifically for dogs with Addison’s disease. These types of diets are specifically formulated high in sodium and low in potassium. Plus these dog foods often incorporate added minerals and vitamins to support your pups overall health. Examples of these diets include , Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Early Care Canine Formula Dry Dog Food and Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Renal Support S Dry Dog Food.

I am by not means a veterinarian so it is very important to note that any and all dietary changes MUST always be made under the guidance of a veterinarian. The Vet can and will help determine the appropriate diet for the individual needs and monitor their progress to ensure that the diet is efficent & effective.

In my conclusion, and our journey with Addison’s disease is a very serious condition that can possibly have serious consequences if left undiagnosed and untreated. However, with proper treatment and management, dogs with Addison’s disease can live long, happy lives. Hormone replacement therapy is a crucial part of treatment, and diet can also play a role in managing the disease. If you suspect that your dog may have Addison’s disease, it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible to ensure that your dog receives the appropriate treatment.

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