{"id":10215,"date":"2025-05-06T19:37:40","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T19:37:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aercmn.com\/?p=10215"},"modified":"2026-06-24T15:45:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T20:45:47","slug":"basels-mysterious-illness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/basels-mysterious-illness\/","title":{"rendered":"Fur-Tunately: Stories of Animal Survival | Episode XXIII: Basel\u2019s Mysterious Illness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Basel the three-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog just wasn\u2019t feeling like himself. He\u2019d pooped in the kitchen \u2013 a definite no-no. The stool was loose and became looser as the day wore on, and oddly, Basel began to favor his hind limbs. Then Basel\u2019s back legs began to give out on him, so Monday morning, he went straight to his veterinarian. Inexplicably, Basel had lost 4 pounds, but his exam was normal, as were x-rays of his hind limbs and belly. Basel was put on pain medications and an antibiotic, in the event that<\/span> he had\u00a0a tick-borne illness.<\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Arriving at The ER<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As Monday evening arrived, Basel stopped walking entirely and seemed uncomfortable. He\u2019d also vomited several times. His owner decided to go to the ER. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the exam, Dr. Tabor noted that Basel\u2019s belly was tender, and he was somewhat dehydrated, unable to walk, and his heartrate was slower than normal. She ordered bloodwork to try to get to the bottom of Basel\u2019s mysterious illness. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Putting Together the Puzzle <\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Basel had low blood pressure. His baseline blood work confirmed mild dehydration, low-normal glucose, elevated kidney values, elevated phosphorus, low cortisol, low cholesterol, low sodium and significantly elevated potassium. His potassium was so high, in fact, that it was having a negative effect on Basel\u2019s heart and cardiovascular system. Basel\u2019s potassium would need to be addressed, or it could lead to life-threatening cardiovascular problems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basel was positive for anaplasma<\/em> and Lyme, but the test only looks for antibodies to these two tickborne illnesses. Antibodies can indicate either a previous exposure or current infection. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Tabor did not believe that Basel\u2019s current state was caused by a tickborne disease. But what was going on? She reviewed the bloodwork\u2019s major findings: low sodium, high potassium, <\/span>azotemia<\/span><\/i> (a buildup of waste products in the blood, including urea and creatinine) and low cortisol. Basel\u2019s bloodwork also showed that he lacked a <\/span>stress leukogram<\/span><\/i>, a pattern of changes in white blood cell counts that occur due to stress. Basel\u2019s low cortisol was likely responsible for this. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Tabor suspected that Basel might have Addison\u2019s Disease. Addison\u2019s Disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism<\/em>, is a condition where the adrenal glands fail to produce sufficient corticosteroid hormones, primarily cortisol and aldosterone. This deficiency affects various bodily functions, including stress response, electrolyte balance, and metabolism. Basel\u2019s low cortisol, lack of a stress leukogram, high potassium, and weight loss could all be signs of Addison\u2019s. A special test called an ACTH Stim test was performed to see if Basel had Addison\u2019s Disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Treatment<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the meantime, Basel\u2019s electrolyte and hormone imbalances needed to be treated. A dose of calcium gluconate was given to protect Basel\u2019s heart from his high potassium<\/span> level,\u00a0and it\u00a0resolved his arrhythmia. Fluids and insulin were given to help bring down his potassium level, and\u00a0Basel\u00a0was\u00a0given\u00a0an anti-inflammatory dose of steroids to supplement the steroids not being produced in his own body.\u00a0He was also given a drug called\u00a0Zycortal which helps replace mineralocorticoids, a class of corticosteroids including aldosterone. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basel Begins to Feel Better<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Over the next day and a half, Basel\u2019s potassium, sodium and kidney values returned to normal. He also began eating and was able to walk again. And guess what? The ACTH Stim test confirmed that the source of Basel\u2019s illness was Addison’s disease. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basel was sent home on oral steroids which were tapered down to a maintenance dose over time. Basel will be on steroids daily and Zycortal monthly for the rest of his life.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Addison\u2019s Disease and Addisonian Crisis <\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Addison’s is a hormonal disease characterized by a deficiency of cortisol and aldosterone which is produced by the adrenal glands. The hormones are crucial for regulating stress response, blood pressure and fluid balance. Addison\u2019s disease is fairly rare and can be tricky to diagnose. In fact, it is known as \u201cThe Great Pretender\u201d because its clinical signs can mimic those of many other diseases.\u00a0 \u00a0Breeds like Standard Poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs, Bearded Collies, West Highland White Terriers, Great Danes, and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are believed to show a genetic predisposition to Addison\u2019s Disease. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately for Basel, he experienced what is called an Addisonian Crisis. Fortunately, however, his family acted quickly and got him help when they noticed things going south. Addisonian Crisis is characterized by a sudden and drastic drop in hormone levels, leading to a range of symptoms \u2013 all of which Basel experienced – including lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and even collapse. Without prompt veterinary treatment, an Addisonian crisis can be fatal. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As long as Basel\u2019s disease is properly managed, he has a great chance at a healthy and long future!<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our \u201cFur-tunately: Stories of Animal Survival\u201d series features real pets treated by our team at Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota. All images and information have been shared with the owner\u2019s permission.\u202f<\/span><\/i>\u202f\u202f <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Case content provided by Kylie Tabor, DVM.<\/span><\/i> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

More Reading: <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n