Don’t Forget Addison’s: When to Look and How to Act
1.0 CE Credit Hour / Kelly Cairns, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM)
Kelly Cairns, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM)
Dr. Kelly Cairns graduated CSU veterinary school in 2004, completed a small animal internship at Cornell in 2005 and a small animal internal medicine residency at the Ohio State University in 2008, at which time she obtained Diplomate status. She enjoyed clinical practice as an internist and medical director of a multi-specialty/ER hospital until joining Thrive Pet Healthcare in January 2018. Dr. Cairns is Vice President of Medical Excellence and Education for 350+ hospitals. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine, President Elect of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, a Wedgewood advisory board member and a dvm360 editorial board member. She lectures internationally on profession-related wellness and leadership coaching topics, veterinary education models and internal medicine.
Overview:
This presentation focuses on improving recognition and early screening of hypoadrenocorticism in dogs, particularly in patients that do not present with classic electrolyte abnormalities or acute Addisonian crisis. Delayed diagnosis is common, as affected dogs often show intermittent or nonspecific clinical signs and laboratory changes that overlap with more prevalent disease processes. Attendees will explore when Addison’s disease should be considered in the diagnostic evaluation, how to apply evidence-based screening and confirmatory testing strategies, and how to initiate appropriate early clinical action while preserving diagnostic accuracy.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Recognize clinical scenarios in which hypoadrenocorticism should be considered, including presentations without classic electrolyte abnormalities.
- Apply evidence-based screening and diagnostic strategies for suspected Addison’s disease.
- Initiate appropriate early clinical action when hypoadrenocorticism is suspected, prior to patient decompensation.
This course is RACE-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits hours in jurisdictions that accept RACE-approval.
