New in-clinic cortisol test is launched

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A new tool for measuring cortisol levels in dogs has been launched by IDEXX Laboratories. The device, called the Catalyst Cortisol Test, supports the diagnosis of Addison’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome. The test, which is the third new assay on the Catalyst platform within a year, expands options for in-clinic cortisol measurement and also supports the management of Cushing’s syndrome in canine patients, according to IDEXX.¹

"The Catalyst Cortisol Test is an accurate and highly requested test that addresses a critical need for our customers and equips veterinarians with built-in results interpretation for prompt action, supporting better health outcomes for dogs," said Jay Mazelsky, president and CEO of IDEXX, in a company release.¹

According to IDEXX, the cortisol test allows veterinary professionals to diagnose or rule out Addison’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome in-clinic. The tool also has monitoring capabilities that allow for tailored treatment adjustments for patients with Cushing’s syndrome.¹ The test can also integrated with IDEXX Vetlab Station and VetConnect Plus and can run alone or with additional chemistry tests using a single sample to provide diagnostic insights on a patient’s health status.¹

Veterinarians in the US and Canada can expect access to the Catalyst Cortisol Test by late July 2025, with global availability for practices using a Catalyst chemistry analyzer expected during this year’s third quarter.

About Addison’s disease

Addison’s disease, or hypoadrenocorticism, is caused by low cortisol levels and can be life-threatening if not treated. Unfortunately, the disease is difficult to diagnose as its clinical signs are typically nonspecific and can mimic common signs of other conditions, like gastroenteritis or kidney disease.¹

Often dubbed the "great pretender” due to its vague and overlapping symptoms with other illnesses, Addison’s disease most commonly affects female dogs that are young to middle-aged as well as poodles, West Highland, White terriers, Great Danes, bearded collies, German shorthair pointers, and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling retrievers.² Moreover, a genetic predisposition to the disease is suspected in in Portuguese Water Dogs and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, but more research is needed to confirm this link.² Still, any dog can get the disease.

About Cushing’s syndrome

Excess levels of cortisol, meanwhile, is responsible for Cushing’s syndrome (hyperadrenocorticism). This endocrine disorder is most common in middle-aged to older dogs. Smaller breeds are most at-risk for pituitary-dependent Cushing’s syndrome—which accounts for 80% to 85% of all cases of Cushing’s—while larger breeds have a higher predisposition for adrenal-dependent Cushing’s syndrome.³ The condition requires long-term management and can lead to decreased quality of life if left untreated.¹

Signs of Cushing’s syndrome include³:

• Polydipsia and polyuria
• Polyphagia
• Increased panting
• Lethargy
• Enlarged abdomen
• Symmetrical alopecia
• Thinning of the skin
• Calcinosis cutis

References

1. Third expansion of IDEXX's Catalyst platform in under a year delivers critical insights to veterinarians evaluating canine patients for endocrine disorders. News release. IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. June 5, 2025. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/third-expansion-of-idexxs-catalyst-platform-in-under-a-year-delivers-critical-insights-to-veterinarians-evaluating-canine-patients-for-endocrine-disorders-302472370.html
2. Littrell A. Could it be Addison’s disease? dvm360. September 23, 2024. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/could-it-be-addisons-disease-
3. Cushing’s syndrome. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/cushings-syndrome