EPI & Addisons

[Olesia711]

I am posting this for Martini... she has an EPI dog with Addisons. Any help would be appreciated:

Hello All
My Goldendoodle Brookelynn DOB 9/17/11 an Addisonian pup (dx 4/18) and a EPI Girl. (dx 8/12) She is on Fludrocortisone & Prednisone for Addison’s & Enzymes Diane & B12IF for EPI. Her Addison’s crisis in April was very serious & she lost about 8-10# Currently she is stable acting normal & has a good appetite, my concern is she has not gained her weight back currently weights 47# & slightly boney. Any thoughts suggestions. ThankU

[Judith]

Hi Martini

I'm sorry Brookelynn has not gained the weight back she lost during her crisis. What dose of fludrocortisone and prednisone is she currently on? Do you have a set of recent electrolyte results?

When Nate was on fludrocortisone my vet and I always made sure his potassium and sodium were right in the middle of the reference ranges. We did have to increase his dose from the starting dose for his weight of 1.5 0.1mg tablets 2X to 2 0.1mg tablets 2X to keep them there. Shortly after we switched him to Percorten injections, a 4ml vial last him 8-9 months. I do the shots at home to keep costs down, however I did check electrolytes monthly until his correct dose was determined

The most important thing with Addison's and EPI is that the AD is well managed. They will not gain weight back until their Addison's has stabilized. Nate requires 1200 calories a day and is 32 lbs.

You may need to increase her caloric intake and start B12 injections again until her weight returns to normal.

It is a lot to manage but they do get back to their prior weights and selves.

Please ask any questions you have.

[Olesia711]

Thank you so much Judith for helping Martini out. It is very difficult when folks have to deal with multiple health conditions and often when there are conflicting protocols because of multiple conditions, one is not always sure which to give preference to.... so it is extremely helpful when one can converse with someone else dealing with the same complex situation.