Canine hypoadrenocorticism: A retrospective study of 32 cases from 2011 to 2018

Abstract

Primary hypoadrenocorticism is characterized by insufficient adrenocortical hormonal secretion of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, which causes unspecific signs and laboratory alterations such as hyponatremia and hyperkalemia, resulting in a low relation between these two electrolytes. The aim of this work was to carry out a retrospective study with data obtained from the medical records of 32 dogs with a proven diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism between the years 2011 and 2018. The parameters weight, sex, reproductive condition, breed, and age were analyzed, as well as the results of laboratory tests of dogs with confirmed hypoadrenocorticism. There was no breed or sex predisposition. There was no association of the categories with the cortisol value after adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), through the Chi-square tests and univariate logistic regression. There was no correlation between the numerical variables and cortisol value after ACTH, except for chlorine and ALT. The predictive values for the baseline serum cortisol concentrations of 0.8 µg/dL, 1 µg/dL, and 2 µg/dL were evaluated. Although a serum basal cortisol concentration equal to or less than 1 µg/dL has high sensitivity and specificity for a diagnosis of the disease, basal cortisol concentration alone cannot be used to diagnose the disease.