Results indicate that determination of free T4 concentration is useful in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism, especially in cats in which hyperthyroidism is suspected but total T4 and T3 concentrations are within reference ranges. However, because some cats with nonthyroidal disease have high serum free T4 concentrations, hyperthyroidism should not be diagnosed solely on the finding of high free T4 concentration.
Results indicate that serum total T4, free T4, and total T3 concentrations may be low (ie, in the hypothyroid range) in dogs with moderate to severe nonthyroidal disease. Serum TSH concentrations are more likely to remain within the reference range in sick dogs.
Hypoadrenocorticism was diagnosed in 42 dogs over a two-and-a-half-year period. The disease occurred more commonly in young to middle-aged dogs, with a fema1e:male ratio of 2 : l . Most dogs had chronic intermittent signs (eg, poor appetite, lethargy and vomiting), but more than a third were in acute adrenal crisis at the time of diagnosis. Serum biochemical testing revealed azotaemia, hyperphosphataemia, hyperkalaemia and hyponatraemia in almost all the dogs. In all dogs, results of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) stimulation testing revealed a low to low-normal serum baseline cortisol concentration that failed to increase after ACTH administration. In two dogs with persistently normal serum electrolytes concentration, one had a markedly high plasma ACTH concentration diagnostic for primary hypoadrenocorticism, whereas the other had a low concentration confirming secondary hypoadrenocorticism. Fludrocortisone acetate was initially used for mineralocorticoid replacement in 33 of the 37 treated dogs withprimary hypoadrenocorticism (final median dosage, 27-0 kg/kg/day), but supplementation was changed to desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) in four dogs because of poor response or adverse effects. Seven dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism were treated with DOCP (final median dosage, 2.02 mg/kg/month).
Trilostane is considered an efficacious and safe medication for canine pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH). Its recommended frequency of administration is once daily. In this prospective study, the efficacy, toxicity, and long-term outcome of trilostane administered twice daily per os were evaluated in 44 dogs with PDH. Mean initial dose was 3.1 mg/kg q 12 hours, and mean final dose was 3.2 mg/kg q 12 hours. The final total daily dose was lower than previously reported for once-daily administration. The mean survival time for affected dogs was 930 days.
BackgroundPortable blood glucose meters (PBGMs) allow easy glucose measurements. As animal‐specific PBGMs are not available everywhere, those for humans are widely used.ObjectivesTo assess the accuracy and precision of 9 PBGMs in canine whole blood (WB) and plasma, based on the ISO 15197:2013.AnimalsFifty‐nine client‐owned dogs attending the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.MethodsAnalytical evaluation of 100 blood samples was performed for accuracy and 23 for precision (glucose 29–579 mg/dL) following ISO recommendations. A PBGM was considered accurate if 95% of the measurements were within ±15 mg/dL from the reference when glucose was <100 mg/dL and within ±15% when it was ≥100 mg/dL, and if 99% of them were within zones A and B in error grid analysis (EG). A hexokinase‐based analyzer was used as reference. Ninety samples were assessed for hematocrit interferences.ResultsAccuracy requirements were not fulfilled by any PBGM in WB (74% of measurements within the limits for the most accurate) and by 1 only in plasma. However, the EG analysis in WB was passed by 6 PBGM and by all in plasma. The most accurate were also the most precise, with coefficients of variation <5% in WB and <3% in plasma. Hematocrit correlated with bias against the reference method in 4 PBGM (r = −0.243 − [−0.371]; P < .021).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThis disparity among PBGM suggests that meters approved for humans need to be evaluated before use in other species.
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