Your dog has addisons diease what is it and what treatment is available?
Once the disease is diagnosed, the treatment is fairly straightforward. The standard treatment involves replacing the mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids in the body. The drug most commonly used to accomplish this is Florinef (fludrocortisone). Florinef is usually given twice a day. Initially, the blood sodium and potassium levels are monitored to help obtain the correct dose. After the animal is regulated, then the levels are rechecked 2 to 3 times a year and adjustments in dosing are made as needed. A newer option in the treatment of Addison’s disease has recently been made available. The new medication is an injectable medication called DOCP. The injection is long acting and only needs to be given every 25 days. DOCP was available years ago, but was taken off the market and recently reintroduced as an approved drug for dogs. DOCP has been intensively tested and been shown to provide better electrolyte regulation than Florinef.