About the Campaign

Addison’s Disease

Louise, a 6-month-old Wheaten Terrier puppy, has already been through more than any young dog should. She was dumped at a South Carolina shelter at just two months old—spayed far too young—and nearly euthanized before Arcadia Animal Rescue stepped in to save her. After bouncing between foster homes, she finally found stability with Erin, who hoped to adopt her for good.

But now Louise may have Addison’s Disease, a serious adrenal condition that can quickly become life-threatening without treatment. She needs urgent ACTH Stimulation tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine her medication levels. With early diagnosis and proper medication levels, dogs with Addison’s live normal and full lives. The medication is also not too expensive, the cost is in getting the initial diagnosis and then testing to get the right level of medication.

Erin noticed something was wrong when Louise began constantly dribbling urine. At first, the vet suspected diabetes, but after multiple rounds of testing, they ruled that out. Her resting cortisol level came back very low, and her sodium-to-potassium ratio points strongly toward Addison’s. Without medication, dogs with this disease can suddenly collapse or even die from an Addisonian crisis.

Erin wanted to adopt Louise after her long time dog, also a Wheaton, passed away from cancer. But, she has spent a lot and maxed out her credit on that cancer treatment. The rescue is small, and does not have funding for Louise, and did not expect this young puppy they rescued to have a condition like this when they took her in. All donations are specifically for Louise, paid for her treatment only. An estimate for the first test is below, there will be one or two more also: