Factors that affect stabilisation times of canine spontaneous hypoadrenocorticism

Use of Deoxycorticosterone Pivalate by Veterinarians: A Western European Survey

This study aims to gather knowledge about the use of deoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) by Western European Veterinarians (WEV) in dogs with typical hypoadrenocorticism. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey, translated into four languages and disseminated to veterinary affiliates and mailing lists in six countries of Western Continental Europe. Respondents were tasked to share their therapeutic approach to hypoadrenocorticism, whether they preferred DOCP or fludrocortisone and the specific practical use of DOCP. One-hundred and eighty-four responses were included. Of these, 79.9% indicated that they preferred prescribing DOCP over fludrocortisone as a first-line treatment for mineralocorticoid supplementation. A total of 154 respondents had used DOCP at least once. Eighty percent of those who reported their initial dosage prescribed 2.2 mg/kg. After starting DOCP, 68.2% of the respondents assess electrolytes 10 and 25 days after administration following manufacturer instructions. In stable dogs, electrolytes are monitored quarterly, monthly, semi-annually, and annually by 44.2%, 34.4%, 16.9%, and 4.6% of respondents respectively. When treatment adjustment is required, 53% prefer to reduce dosage while 47% increase the interval between doses. Overall, DOCP is the preferred mineralocorticoid supplementation among WEV. Reported variability underlies the need to investigate the best strategies for DOCP use and therapeutic adjustments.

Management of hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease) in dogs

Hypoadrenocorticism (HOAC; Addison’s disease) is an endocrine condition seen in small animal practice. Dogs with this disease can present in a variety of ways from acute hypovolemic collapse to vague, chronic, waxing, and waning clinical signs. In the most common form of this disease, animals have both mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid deficiency, resulting in hyponatremia and hyperkalemia, and signs of cortisol deficiency. The etiology may be immune-mediated destruction of the adrenal cortex, drug-induced adrenocortical necrosis (mitotane), enzyme inhibition (trilostane), or infiltrative processes such as neoplastic or fungal disease. Much less commonly, dogs have signs of cortisol deficiency, but no electrolyte changes. This is referred to as atypical HOAC. The veterinarian needs to have a clinical suspicion for HOAC to make a diagnosis in a timely manner. Treatment of dogs with an acute presentation prioritizes correcting the hypovolemia, hyperkalemia, acidosis, and hypoglycemia. Fluid therapy addresses most of these issues, but other directed therapies may be required in the most severe cases. For chronic management, all patients with Addison’s disease will require replacement of glucocorticoids (usually prednisone), and most patients require replacement of mineralocorticoids with either desoxycorticosterone pivalate or fludrocortisone. Atypical Addisonians do not require mineralocorticoid supplementation, but electrolytes should be monitored in case the need arises in the future. The prognosis for dogs treated for HOAC promptly and appropriately is excellent; most patients die from other diseases. However, if the diagnosis is missed, patients may die as a consequence of HOAC. Thus, knowledge of the hallmarks of Addison’s disease is imperative.