This question was forwarded to me related to the webinar on New Research Insights Into Canine Addison's Disease ...
Why do only some dogs with Atypical Addison's disease convert to Typical Addison's disease?
Actually most dogs with "atyical" (a term that is recommended to not be used) Addison's do eventually need mineralocorticoid supplementation. When Aldosterone is measured, the vast majority of "atypical" Addisonian's are found to be deficient in Aldosterone. There are likely compensatory mechanisms in play that keep these dogs from having the typical electrolytes changes. In the rare case where Aldosterone is normal, secondary Addison's disease should be investigated.
