If this happens to your cat, then your veterinarian might start to suspect Addison’s disease and test for it.Īddison’s disease in cats is usually diagnosed with a simple blood test, but diagnosis is often confirmed by finding abnormally small adrenal glands during an abdominal ultrasound. The most typical story is that your cat acts sick and dehydrated, goes to the vet, gets fluids and steroids, feels better and then gets sick again at some point. It can camouflage itself behind nonspecific signs, like lethargy, dehydration, weight loss or vomiting.Ĭats that have Addison’s disease can be misdiagnosed with kidney disease or inflammatory bowel disease because the signs are so similar.Ĭats suffering from Addison’s disease can act sick intermittently, or they can have what’s known as a full-blown Addisonian crisis, which manifests as extreme shock, low heart rate and dehydration.Īn Addisonian crisis is a medical emergency, and your cat will need to see a veterinarian immediately. The problem with Addison’s disease is that it is sneaky and masquerades as other issues. In dogs, Addison’s disease is known to be an autoimmune disorder, but we do not know yet what causes it in cats. In Addison’s disease, something causes the adrenal glands to stop making important hormones, including cortisol and mineralocorticoids.Īddison’s disease is usually seen in middle-aged cats of both sexes. Addison’s Disease in Catsįeline hypoadrenocorticism is commonly referred to as Addison’s disease in cats. We still don’t know a lot about these conditions, but if your cat is chronically or intermittently ill or is having unexplained symptoms, an undiagnosed adrenal disorder could be the culprit.

Adrenal gland disorders, including Addison’s disease and Cushing’s disease in cats, are often missed and underdiagnosed.

Causes of overactive adrenal glands