Diagnosis of Canine Spontaneous Hypoadrenocorticism

Overview

Journal Canine Med Genet

Date 2022 May 3

PMID 35505424

Authors

Pedro J Guzman Ramos

Michael Bennaim

Robert E Shiel

Carmel T Mooney

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Hypoadrenocorticism is characterized by a reduction in mineralocorticoid and/or glucocorticoid production by the adrenal glands. Several subtypes have been described with different clinical and clinicopathological consequences. Most affected dogs have vague and non-specific signs that precede an eventual life-threatening crisis. This review aims to appraise classification, the available data on epidemiology and the clinical and laboratory features of naturally occurring canine hypoadrenocorticism.

Citing Articles

Serum cholesterol disturbances in dogs with common endocrinopathies at the time of diagnosis: a retrospective study.

Huang W, Paulin M, Snead E BMC Vet Res. 2025; 21(1):138.

PMID: 40033334 PMC: 11874397. DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04413-0.

Can we predict hypoadrenocorticism in dogs with resting hypocortisolemia? A predictive model based on clinical, haematological, and biochemical variables.

Santos N, Domingues T, Tardo A, Dinis M, Mateus L, Fracassi F Front Vet Sci. 2025; 11:1523170.

PMID: 39764376 PMC: 11700806. DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1523170.

Comparison between typical primary and eunatraemic, eukalaemic hypoadrenocorticism: 92 cases.

Da Silva A, Gunn E, Ramos P, Shiel R, Bree L, Mooney C Ir Vet J. 2024; 77(1):18.

PMID: 39342294 PMC: 11439219. DOI: 10.1186/s13620-024-00280-1.

The effects of selected sedatives on basal and stimulated serum cortisol concentrations in healthy dogs.

Hunt A, Olin S, Whittemore J, Esteller-Vico A, Springer C, Giori L PeerJ. 2024; 12:e16955.

PMID: 38406286 PMC: 10885794. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16955.

Prevalence of hypercalcemia in primary hypoadrenocorticism in dogs: Multicenter, retrospective study.

Hall H, Williams T, Florey J, Moreno M, Black V, Thompson D J Vet Intern Med. 2023; 37(5):1685-1693.

PMID: 37382221 PMC: 10472996. DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16786.

References

Cohen T, Feldman E . Comparison of IV and IM formulations of synthetic ACTH for ACTH stimulation tests in healthy dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2012; 26(2):412-4. DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.00882.x. View

Hughes A, Nelson R, Famula T, Bannasch D . Clinical features and heritability of hypoadrenocorticism in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers: 25 cases (1994-2006). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007; 231(3):407-12. DOI: 10.2460/javma.231.3.407. View

Rogers W, Straus J, Chew D . Atypical hypoadrenocorticism in three dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1981; 179(2):155-8. View

Famula T, Belanger J, Oberbauer A . Heritability and complex segregation analysis of hypoadrenocorticism in the standard poodle. J Small Anim Pract. 2003; 44(1):8-12. DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2003.tb00096.x. View

Foley C, Bracker K, Drellich S . Hypothalamic-pituitary axis deficiency following traumatic brain injury in a dog. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). 2009; 19(3):269-74. DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-4431.2009.00409.x. View

Haviland R, Toaff-Rosenstein R, Reeves M, Littman M . Clinical features of hypoadrenocorticism in soft-coated wheaten terrier dogs: 82 cases (1979-2013). Can Vet J. 2016; 57(4):387-94. PMC: 4790230. View

Javadi S, Galac S, Boer P, Robben J, Teske E, Kooistra H . Aldosterone-to-renin and cortisol-to-adrenocorticotropic hormone ratios in healthy dogs and dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism. J Vet Intern Med. 2006; 20(3):556-61. DOI: 10.1892/0891-6640(2006)20[556:aachri]2.0.co;2. View

Oberbauer A, Bell J, Belanger J, Famula T . Genetic evaluation of Addison's disease in the Portuguese Water Dog. BMC Vet Res. 2006; 2:15. PMC: 1481556. DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-2-15. View

Lobetti R . Hyperreninaemic hypoaldosteronism in a dog. J S Afr Vet Assoc. 1998; 69(1):33-5. DOI: 10.4102/jsava.v69i1.808. View

10.

Whitley N . Megaoesophagus and glucocorticoid-deficient hypoadrenocorticism in a dog. J Small Anim Pract. 1995; 36(3):132-5. DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1995.tb02858.x. View

11.

Soulsby S, Holland M, Hudson J, Behrend E . Ultrasonographic evaluation of adrenal gland size compared to body weight in normal dogs. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2014; 56(3):317-26. DOI: 10.1111/vru.12236. View

12.

Lifton S, King L, Zerbe C . Glucocorticoid deficient hypoadrenocorticism in dogs: 18 cases (1986-1995). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1996; 209(12):2076-81. View

13.

Oberbauer A, Benemann K, Belanger J, Wagner D, Ward J, Famula T . Inheritance of hypoadrenocorticism in bearded collies. Am J Vet Res. 2002; 63(5):643-7. DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2002.63.643. View

14.

Bartges J, Nielson D . Reversible megaesophagus associated with atypical primary hypoadrenocorticism in a dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1992; 201(6):889-91. View

15.

Bhatti S, de Vliegher S, Van Ham L, Kooistra H . Effects of growth hormone-releasing peptides in healthy dogs and in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2002; 197(1-2):97-103. DOI: 10.1016/s0303-7207(02)00293-9. View

16.

Burton S, DeLay J, Holmes A, Somerville C, Eye J, Shaw D . Hypoadrenocorticism in young related Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers. Can Vet J. 1997; 38(4):231-4. PMC: 1576571. View

17.

Tan A, Epstein S, Hopper K . Period prevalence and mortality rates associated with hypocholesterolaemia in dogs and cats: 1,375 cases. J Small Anim Pract. 2020; 61(11):669-675. DOI: 10.1111/jsap.13204. View

18.

McGonigle K, Randolph J, Center S, Goldstein R . Mineralocorticoid before glucocorticoid deficiency in a dog with primary hypoadrenocorticism and hypothyroidism. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2012; 49(1):54-7. DOI: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-5820. View

19.

Kemppainen R, Sartin J, Peterson M . Effects of single intravenously administered doses of dexamethasone on response to the adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test in dogs. Am J Vet Res. 1989; 50(11):1914-7. View

20.

Smallwood L, Barsanti J . Hypoadrenocorticism in a family of leonbergers. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1995; 31(4):301-5. DOI: 10.5326/15473317-31-4-301. View