Section: Information In-depth
Hypoadrenocorticism is a relatively uncommon disease, but it is highly treatable. Nevertheless, without proper veterinary care, the condition can be fatal. Because the history, clinical signs, and presentation of dogs with hypoadrenocorticism are so variable, there are other illnesses that must initially be considered when establishing a definitive diagnosis. These illnesses may include:
Gastrointestinal (GI) foreign bodies that cause vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness
Infections of the gastrointestinal tract with bacteria (Salmonella, Campylobactor, Clostridia), viruses (parvovirus, coronavirus), fungi (histoplasmosis), or parasites (whipworms)
Neoplasia (cancer) of the gastrointestinal tract, such as lymphosarcoma and adenocarcinoma
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a syndrome of chronic intestinal inflammation
Kidney diseases, such as acute kidney failure and pyelonephritis (infection of the kidney)
Pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that causes severe vomiting and diarrhea
Urinary blockage resulting in hyperkalemia (high blood potassium) and azotemia (abnormal kidney function test)
Diseases causing hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels), such as cancer and parathyroid gland diseases
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