Addison’s disease is another name for hypoadrenocorticism. It is an under-production of the adrenal hormones, which include cortisol and aldosterone.
In Addison’s disease, your pet’s adrenal glands (two small glands near the kidneys) stop producing the essential hormones they’re supposed to. These hormones are needed to regulate:
- Energy levels
- Blood sugar balance
- Electrolyte (mineral) levels
- Response to stress
Addison’s can occur naturally in dogs and cats, but also happens when high-dose steroids are stopped suddenly or Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) is over-treated.