Discovery of Addison's Disease Gene in Dogs Could Help Humans, Too

Andy Fell — April 14, 2026 - 3:45pm

Among dog breeds, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers (tollers) have an unusually high rate of Addison's disease, a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones, notably cortisol and aldosterone. In humans, Addison's disease is thought to occur when the body's immune system attacks the adrenal glands, making it a type of autoimmune disease.

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Discovery of Addison's Disease Gene in Dogs Could Help Humans, Too