Endocrinology

The basal T4 concentration is useful in most cases.

Dogs typically develop insulin dependent, or type I, diabetes mellitus.

Insulin was first discovered in 1921 by Frederick Banting and colleagues.

Surgery is performed for dogs with pituitary and adrenal-dependent disease.

Feline hyperthyroidism is a common endocrinopathy of the cat.

Hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) is a common endocrine disease of the dog.

Historically, cats were fed diets higher in insoluble fiber.

The hypothalamus secretes thyrotropin-releasing hormone in response to nervous stimuli.

Hypoadrenocorticism occurs as a result of a deficiency in glucocorticoids and, in some cases, mineralocorticoids.

Understanding hyperadrenocorticism and hyperaldosteronism

An 8-year-old 46.3-lb (21-kg) female spayed mixed-breed dog was referred to the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of lethargy, inappetence, weight loss, and alopecia of several months' duration.

A brief review of the diagnosis and treatment of hyperadrenocorticism and the current knowledge on trilostane, including its therapeutic considerations and possible adverse effects.

Q: Could you update the diagnosis and management of atypical hyperadrenocorticism?

"The advantage of trilostane seems to be a much higher safety profile than Lysodren with an equal efficacy rate."

The EPA has reported a possible connection between brominated flame retardants commonly found in the home and the recent upsurge in this thyroid disease in cats.

National Report - A potential connection between feline hyperthyroidism (FH) and a flame-retardant chemical found in common household products, house dust and some food items may exist, concludes a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study.

Dr. Bruyette discusses which thyroid function tests to use to diagnose hypothyroidism in dogs and hyperthyroidism in cats.

Hyperlipidemia is the increased concentration of triglyceride (hypertriglyceridemia), cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), or both in the blood.

Underlying causes of diabetes mellitus, a common endocrinopathy in dogs and cats, include chronic pancreatic inflammation, pancreatic atrophy, and immune-mediated destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells.

Dr. David Bruyette discusses how to optimize adrenal function testing, plus information on how to use cosyntropin.

This internist embraces advances in diagnostics as well as comparative medicine. However, "One thing I hope never changes," he says, "is our reliance on history taking and physical examinations."

Dr. Washabau discusses the risk factors for pancreatitis in dogs.

Primary hypoparathyroidism is most commonly caused by the destruction or removal of the parathyroid glands.

In this article, we review the differential diagnoses in patients with hypocalcemia, the diagnostic testing to investigate clinical signs consistent with hypocalcemia, and the treatment of primary hypoparathyroidism.

"Veterinarians need to direct their own profession," says this professor and endocrinologist. "If we do not take responsibility for how veterinary medicine is practiced, we may find out that we are no longer making the decisions."