Addison's Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism)
This disease has afflicted Bearded Collies for years. The first report in the 1987 came from a breeder concerned about the problem. The first health survey by the Bearded Collie Club of America ( BCCA) documented 18 cases in 804 dogs (2.2%). A second survey by the parent club documented 61 cases in 1397 dogs (4.4%). BeaCon's OHR has 56 reported cases out of 1123 Beardies (5.0%) (date 8/31/07). The OHR cases are from 11 different countries so Addison's disease is not unique for Beardies in the United States.
The changing frequency over the years cannot be interpreted as a true increase in the disease because of confounding factors. Such variables as greater interest in reporting a dog with Addison's disease can skew the frequency rate considerably.
Pedigree analysis by a veterinary geneticist of Addisonian Beardie families from the second BCCA survey suggested that the disease was inherited. A research project was initiated in the late 90's under the auspices of the BCCA with the AKC Canine Health Foundation. The project was first directed by Dr. Ry Wagner at the University of Oregon and then in 1990 by Dr. Anita Oberbauer at UC Davis, where it remains today.
Widespread participation by both healthy and affected Bearded Collies is key to identifying the mode of inheritance and finding genetic markers for the disease. For information on this project, click here.
See the history and article links for additional information.