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A 1 year and 4 months old, intact female French Bulldog was presented because of weakness, anorexia, and vomiting for 3 days. Laboratory findings included azotemia, hyponatremia, hypochloremia, sodium to potassium (Na:K) ratio was 23.88, and the lower level of basal cortisol concentration than the detection limit. The small size of both adrenal glands obtained from abdominal ultrasonography. Subsequently, the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test was performed, and the diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism was confirmed. The desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) with a smaller dose and lesser frequency than the recommendation of 2.2 mg/kg every 25 days. The dog received DOCP subcutaneous injection at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg initially and followed by 1.37 mg/kg 55 days after the first injection, 1.37 mg/kg 28 days after the second injection, and more than 84 days after a dose of 1.37 mg/kg of the third injection. Glucocorticoid administrations were in recommended doses for the whole period of management. Improvement of clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters of the dog was observed a week later after the DOCP intervention. A smaller than recommended dose and lesser frequency of the DOCP with prednisolone seems adequate for controlling clinical problems in the successful management of the hypoadrenocorticism in a French Bulldog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report describes the first clinical case, to our knowledge, of a dog with polyglandular deficiency syndrome with diabetes mellitus and hypoadrenocorticism. A six-year-old female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel presented with a history of lethargy and appetite loss. The dog was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis based on hyperglycemia and renal glucose and ketone body loss. The dog's condition improved on intensive treatment of diabetes mellitus; daily subcutaneous insulin detemir injection maintained an appropriate blood glucose level over half a year. However, the dog's body weight gradually decreased from day 207, and on day 501, it presented with a decreased appetite; the precise cause could not be determined. Based on mild hyponatremia and hyperkalemia, hypoadrenocorticism was suggested; the diagnosis was made using an adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test. Daily fludrocortisone with low-dose prednisolone oral administration resulted in poor recovery of the blood chemistry abnormalities; however, monthly desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) subcutaneous injection with daily low-dose prednisolone oral administration helped in the significant recovery of the abnormalities. Therefore, clinicians should consider the possibility of coexistence of hypoadrenocorticism in dogs with diabetes mellitus presenting with undifferentiated weight loss. Additionally, DOCP (not fludrocortisone) may be useful in treating dogs with diabetes mellitus complicated with hypoadrenocorticism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Clinicians alter dosing for desoxycorticosterone pivalate ( DOCP) to mitigate costs, but this practice has not been critically evaluated in a prospective clinical trial. Hypothesis/Objectives The duration of action of DOCP is longer than 30 days in dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism ( PH). Animals A total of 53 client-owned dogs with PH. Twenty-four dogs with newly diagnosed PH (Group 1) and 29 dogs with treated PH (Group 2). Methods Prospective, multicenter, clinical trial. For phase I, DOCP was administered and plasma sodium and potassium concentrations were measured until the dog developed hyponatremia or hyperkalemia at a planned evaluation, or displayed clinical signs with plasma electrolyte concentrations outside of the reference interval independent of a planned evaluation, thus defining DOCP duration of action. Plasma electrolyte concentrations then were assessed at the end of the individualized dosing interval ( IDI; i.e., DOCP duration of action minus 7 days, phase II and at least 3 months after concluding phase II, phase III). Results The duration of action of DOCP in dogs in phase I with naïve PH (n = 24) ranged from 32 to 94 days (median, 62 days; 95% confidence interval [ CI], 57, 65) and previously treated PH (n = 29) from 41 to 124 days (median, 67 days; CI, 56, 72). Overall, the final DOCP dosing interval for all dogs that completed phase II (n = 36) ranged from 38 days to 90 days (median, 58 days; CI, 53, 61). No dog that completed phase III (n = 15) required reduction in the IDI. The DOCP duration of action, independent of group, was not significantly associated with several baseline variables. The median drug cost reduction using IDI was approximately 57.5% per year. Conclusion and Clinical Importance The duration of action of DOCP in dogs with PH is >30 days, and plasma sodium and potassium concentrations can be maintained with an IDI >30 days long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]