Veterinarska stanica, Vol. 53 No. 5, 2022.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.46419/vs.53.5.8
Canine hyperadrenocorticism (Part I: Definition, clinical signs and laboratory findings)
Ivana Kiš
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Mirna Brkljačić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Anđela Krizman
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Vesna Matijatko
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Gabrijela Jurkić Krsteska
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Maša Efendić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Nikica Prvanović Babić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Dalibor Potočnjak
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Nada Kučer
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Naturally occurring hyperadrenocorticism (HAC), often referred to as Cushing’s syndrome, is one of the most common endocrinopathies in dogs characterised by clinical and clinoco-pathological manifestations of chronically increased concentration of circulating cortisol. The disease can be the consequence of excessive glucocorticoid administration, i.e., iatrogenic, due to therapy of immune-mediated or allergic diseases. Naturally occurring disease is caused by either pituitary disease (pituitary dependent hyperadrenocorticism: PDH) producing increased amounts of ACTH, or by a cortisol-secreting adrenal tumour (adrenal dependent hyperadrenocorticism: ADH). Rare causes of HAC are food-dependent cortisol secretion and ectopic ACTH production. Hyperadrenocorticism is a disease of adult and old dogs, with a median of 7–9 years. There is no obvious sex-related predisposition, although there may be a mild predisposition for ADH in female dogs. HAC has been reported in many breeds. PDH is more frequently diagnosed in smaller dog breeds, with most (75%) patients weighing less than 20 kg, whereas about 50% of dogs with ADH weigh more than 20 kg. The most commonly affected breeds are: various Terrier breeds, all Poodle breeds, Dachshunds, Beagles, Bichon Frisé, Standard Schnauzers, Fox Terriers, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, Boxers and Boston Terriers. The most common clinical signs are polyuria and polydipsia, polyphagia, weight gain, abdominal enlargement, endocrine alopecia, muscle weakness and/or panting. Less common clinical signs are: liver enlargement, lethargy, exercise intolerance, persistent anoestrus or testicular atrophy, myotonia, hypertensive retinopathy and/ or neurological signs. Along with bilaterally symmetrical nonpruritic truncal alopecia, common dermatological signs are thin skin, loss of elasticity, skin bruising, comedones, striae, calcinosis cutis and slow wound healing. The most consistent haematology laboratory findings in decreasing order are: stress leucogram with lymphopenia and eosinopenia, mild to moderate neutrophilia and/or monocytosis, mild polycythaemia and/or thrombocytosis. The most consistent biochemical findings in decreasing order are: increased alkaline phosphatase activity, increased cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, mild hyperglycaemia and increased alanine aminotransferase activity. Urinalysis usually reveals low specific gravity of urine (hypostenuria) and proteinuria, if the dogs have concurrent diabetes mellitus, glucosuria is present, and dogs with HAC can have urinary tract infections without signs of inflammation. The greater the number of present clinical symptoms and laboratory changes, the stronger the suspicion of HAC and therefore the need to proceed with diagnostics.
Keywords
hyperadrenocorticism; dog; clinical manifestations; laboratory findings
Hrčak ID:
265224
URI
Publication date:
20.12.2021.
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