Another Addison’s Dog – Another Missed Diagnosis
This is a brief story about my beautiful, sweet dog, Birdy.
Birdy was a typical happy golden retriever who, just weeks before her third birthday, began to experience behavioral and coordination issues. The vets first diagnosed her with Addison’s, but an ACTH test came back borderline negative and they never re-considered what would later be recognized to be an accurate diagnosis.
Birdy was correctly diagnosed and treated on September 10, 2008, 6 weeks after her first Addisonian collapse (also referred to as an Addisonian Crisis). She originally collapsed on July 24, 2008. Unfortunately, too much time had passed, the kidneys and liver had ceased to function. Birdy responded to the treatment, but succumbed September 11, just ten days before what would have been her third birthday.
This video is dedicated to my sweet, beautiful dog, but it’s posted to bring awareness to dog owners that ACTH tests can be inaccurate and the symptoms of Addison’s are varied.
Almost always, there is diahhrea dark or black stool, hair loss and behavioral changes. Birdy did not ever vomit, something they looked for and its absence was part of the reason she was misdiagnosed. She was compelled in a disoriented way to forward motion, like an alzheimer’s first stage patient. Lethargy only set in late in the illness. Her sodium level was non-existant and her potassium level was off the chart.
Again, Addison’s occurs in females between 1-4 years old. Even if the test is negative, it may still be Addisons!
I do not recommend UC Davis or VCA Sacramento Animal Medical Group, in fact, I consider both to be incompetent, especially the UC Davis Department of Neurology and Maggie Knipe. UCD uses residents and students to evaluate dogs, but they tell clients they are “doctors.” This is misleading and does not serve the client, who then assumes they have been seen by someone competent and experienced. Sacramento Animal Medical Group was primarily responsible for the missed diagnosis and flawed administration of the technical acth test on Birdy. They are a corporation, leaving you to pay the most for the worst care. Vets at VCA are employees on shifts, and this, more than anything else, led to the death of a beautiful, young dog who had a very treatable illness.
If you do have a dog with a difficult diagnosis, I would highly recommend Dr. Cowan, who owns the Whipple Avenue Animal Hospital in Redwood City, California. His experience over the years was invaluable in immediately recognizing Birdy’s illness. It was my failure to bring Birdy back to him sooner that ultimately caused her to lose the battle she fought valiantly for so many weeks.
If you have an Addison’s dog, or you suspect Addison’s, please feel free to contact me. I don’t know much, but what I do know I learned at a very great cost. It is my hope that if I can prevent someone else from paying the price I paid in losing perhaps the best friend and companion of my life that, while it won’t have been worth it, it will at least have had some good come from it.
The field shown in this video is the Vernal Pools in Fair Oaks, California. We lived across the street and this was Birdy’s “field of gold.” She knew it well and it’s the reason for the song choice and it’s appropriate that the images of this particular field and the Canadian geese she was so fascinated by, are present.
Song credit: the late Eva Cassidy. Photo credit: Dan Aiello
Duration : 0:5:9
[youtube sZ-7FE2QQ7I]
March 28th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
To all of you who …
To all of you who have posted such kind words of sympathy, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. As you might imagine, watching this hurts even now, though Birdy was the great gift to my life. Please know your words carried me and I am grateful.
The field in the video is Fair Oaks Phoenix Park where Birdy walked every morning and night and loved. Her ‘golden fields of barley.’
Apologies for the editing mistakes at the end.. I dont repair it because real tears caused it, so it stays,
March 28th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
You had a great dog …
You had a great dog. You did all you could.
March 28th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
I am so very sorry …
I am so very sorry for your loss.
My 18 month old Border Collie was diagnosed with Addison’s a few months ago. Like your dog, his ACTH test was questionable, but we were lucky enough that our vet pushed for an ultrasound and was able to confirm it. While it is not 100% under control yet, he’s gained 11 lbs and we’re working on it.
March 28th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
I am so sorry for …
I am so sorry for your loss
My dog was diagnosed with Addison disease yesterday – Christmas Eve.
He is still hospitalized today.
March 28th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
im so sorry for …
im so sorry for your loss had tears in my eyes when watching this i had to go through a similar thing with my dobie who was only 14 months old had to get her put to sleep five months ago didnt know what was wrong with her! it breaks your heart will never forget my baby
March 28th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
I am very sorry …
I am very sorry about the loss of your golden. I can only say that my experience at UC Davis Vet Teaching Hospital was just the opposite of yours. Riley, an English Pointer, was diagnosed with atypical Addisons four years ago. (Atypical because most diagnosis occurs near or at death.) Riley is alive today because of UCD.
March 28th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
I am so sorry for …
I am so sorry for your loss, I know it really hurts to lose your golden. They love so much and that is hard to find. My tears are for you.
March 28th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
OMG!! i’m so sorry …
I’ve also just lost my dog 
we or the vets never found out what was wrong 
OMG!! i’m so sorry about you’r dog
March 28th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
My dog Sadie was …
My dog Sadie was diagonsised with Addisons 5 years ago. She almost died in my arms when her body system crashed on labor day weekend. I was lucky my vet knew what was wrong and send me to a specialist in Akron Ohio. This is treatable. She did not have to died because some vet does not know what to do.
I am so sorry that Birdy’s vet was not able to figure out what was wrong with her in time.
March 28th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
God bless ya, i …
God bless ya, i know how it feels,you get so darn attached
March 28th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
I am so sorry for …
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Birdy looks like my Doobie. She has some symptoms of Addison’s but they are not sure if thats whats wrong with her. Hopefully we will find out after we take her back to the vet again today. She will only eat if I hand feed her and she takes in very little water and I am very worried. Many huggz to you. Your Birdie will Always be with you in your heart.
March 28th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Im sorry for your …
Im sorry for your loss. My dog COREY has been living on with addisons for 3 long years!He is now 6 years old and the battle goes on.
March 28th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Beautiful dog, I’m …
Beautiful dog, I’m so sorry you lost her.
March 28th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Im so sorry about …
Im so sorry about your loss. I have a 7 year old great dane and out of the blue started having diahhrea off and on and is now vomitting. He sometimes doesn’t eat and drinks alot of water. I have taken him in for x rays and blood work and no answers. I hate that I can’t help him and I feel so sorry for him while we continue to try to figure this out. After doing research online, I see alot of Addison’s symptons.
March 28th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Am sorry to hear …
Am sorry to hear the loss of your Birdy, May she rest in peace she was so beautiful