• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Just Ask the Expert: Is this patient cushingoid?

October 1, 2010
David S. Bruyette, DVM, DACVIM

It is unlikely the low-dose prednisone treatment is resulting in the panting the owner is reporting.

Dr. Bruyette welcomes endocrinology questions from veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Click here to submit your question, or send an e-mail to vm@advanstar.com with the subject line "Endocrinology questions."

One of my patients is a 10-year-old 30-lb spayed female cocker spaniel that has had pruritus her whole life. She has been intermittently treated with prednisone. Her owner reports giving her 5 mg prednisone once a week, which keeps her comfortable. However, the owner says the dog pants all the time. It is difficult to determine whether she exhibits polyuria and polydipsia. The dog does not have alopecia or a distended abdomen.

Her serum chemistry profile results are normal except for an alkaline phosphatase activity of 1,499 IU/L (reference range = 10-129 IU/L). The low-dose dexamethasone suppression (LDDS) test results revealed a baseline cortisol concentration of 5.1 µg/dl and cortisol concentrations of < 1 µg/dl at four hours and 1.5 µg/dl at eight hours after dexamethasone administration (the laboratory's reference range eight hours after low-dose dexamethasone administration is < 2 µg/dl; my notes from a lecture you gave list < 1 µg/dl as normal). The urine cortisol:creatinine ratio (UCCR) is 3.6. This dog's urine specific gravity is 1.029 with no abnormal urinalysis results. I am uncertain how to interpret the results of these diagnostic tests.

Nancy Maxeiner, DVM

Advertisement

Animal Care Center

Moscow, Idaho

It is unlikely the low-dose prednisone treatment is resulting in the panting the owner is reporting. Both the LDDS and UCCR results are normal (< 13 is generally considered normal for the UCCR), and it is important that we interpret the endocrine test results using the diagnostic laboratory's reference ranges. The urine specific gravity of 1.029 is also not consistent with polyuria and polydipsia or hyperadrenocorticism. So at this point we do not have laboratory evidence for hyperadrenocorticism.

David S. Bruyette, DVM, DACVIM

I would continue to monitor for progression of any clinical signs. The increased alkaline phosphatase activity could be related to long-term prednisone administration, but I would consider an abdominal ultrasonographic examination to look for other causes of it and a thoracic radiographic examination to evaluate the panting. If additional clinical signs of hyperadrenocorticism do appear, then I would repeat the LDDS test, ideally, four to six weeks after the prednisone has been discontinued.

David S. Bruyette, DVM, DACVIM

VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital

1818 S. Sepulveda Blvd.

West Los Angeles, CA 90025

Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation and Consultation

26205 Fairside Road

Malibu, CA 90256

Related Content:

Endocrinology
Dr Natalie Marks to lecture on diabetes management with Dr Adam Christman
Dr Natalie Marks to lecture on diabetes management with Dr Adam Christman
Top 3 pancreatic diseases in dogs
Top 3 pancreatic diseases in dogs
Hypoadrenocorticism in the emergency setting
Hypoadrenocorticism in the emergency setting

Advertisement

Latest News

3 Must-reads from Fetch Charlotte 2023

A practical approach to a fever of unknown origin

Bridge Club aims to bring groomers and veterinarians together

ABVS approves full recognition for shelter medicine practice

View More Latest News
Advertisement