Image Quiz: A Labrador with PU/PD and hepatomegaly - Answer C (Sponsored by Dechra)

Correct!

In a patient such as Jack, with a high index of suspicion for hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) based on history, physical examination findings, and routine laboratory results, the results of an adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test that fall within normal limits should be interpreted with caution and an alternative method used to assess the pituitary-adrenal axis. Another thing to consider is this patient’s size. An underlying functional adrenocortical tumor is an uncommon cause of HAC in a small dog, but becomes more likely as patient size increases.1 Previous studies have indicated that the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST) is a more sensitive way to identify dogs with HAC due to a functional adrenocortical tumor than an ACTH stimulation test, so many clinicians regard the LDDST as a superior screening test for this disease in a large breed patient.2

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