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Normal dogs generally have post stimulation cortisol levels > 10 ug/dl. Post stimulation levels < 2 ug/dl is considered diagnostic and most Addison's patients are < 1 ug/dl. The ACTH stimulation test does not distinguish between primary and secondary hypoadrenocorticism, or adrenocortical destruction caused by mitotane overdose.
The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) is used to assess adrenal gland function by measuring how cortisol levels change in response to oral doses or an injection of dexamethasone. [1] It is typically used to diagnose Cushing's syndrome .
Two dexamethasone suppression tests (DSTs) are generally used, the overnight test and the 48 hour test. [8] For both tests, a plasma cortisol level above 50 nmol/L is indicative of Cushing's disease. [8] However, 3–8% of patients with Cushing's disease will test negative due to a retention of dexamethasone suppression abilities. [8]
Cushing's syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms due to prolonged exposure to glucocorticoids such as cortisol. [4] [9] [10] Signs and symptoms may include high blood pressure, abdominal obesity but with thin arms and legs, reddish stretch marks, a round red face due to facial plethora, [11] a fat lump between the shoulders, weak muscles, weak bones, acne, and fragile skin that heals ...
Glucocorticoids lower the serum concentration of thyroxine and triiodothyronine. 40-50% of dogs with Cushing's have lowered levels of these thyroid hormones. The cause of this is not known. When a dog has lowered serum levels of thyroid hormones and endocrine alopecia it is harder to differentiate between hypothyroidism and Cushing's.
Dexamethasone is a fluorinated glucocorticoid medication [10] used to treat rheumatic problems, a number of skin diseases, severe allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), croup, brain swelling, eye pain following eye surgery, superior vena cava syndrome (a complication of some forms of cancer), [11] and along with antibiotics in tuberculosis. [10]
For example, a Beagle (average life expectancy 13.3 years) usually lives to around 12–15 years, and a Scottish Terrier (average life expectancy 12 years) usually lives to around 10–16 years. The longest living verified dog is Bluey , an Australian Cattle Dog who died at 29 years.
[2] [3] Dexamethasone should be used as the corticosteroid of choice in these cases as it is the only corticosteroid that will not affect diagnostic test results. [2] [29] To confirm inappropriately low cortisol secretion, testing can include baseline morning cortisol level in the blood or morning cortisol level in the saliva. [2]