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Abstract

Objective—To determine the efficacy of trilostane, a 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor, in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH).

Animals—11 dogs with PDH.

Procedure—The initial dose of trilostane was 30 mg, PO, q 24 h for dogs that weighed < 5 kg and 60 mg, PO, q 24 h for dogs that weighed ≥ 5 kg. A CBC count, serum biochemical analyses, urinalysis, ACTH stimulation test, and ultrasonographic evaluation of the adrenal glands were performed in each dog 1, 3 to 4, 6 to 7, 12 to 16, and 24 to 28 weeks after initiation of treatment.

Results—All dogs responded well to treatment. All had reductions in polyuria-polydipsia and panting and an increase in activity. Polyphagia decreased in 9 of 10 dogs, and 9 of 11 dogs had improvement of coat quality and skin condition. Concentration of cortisol after ACTH stimulation significantly decreased by 1 week after initiation of treatment. After treatment for 6 months, clinical signs resolved in 9 dogs. In the other 2 dogs, marked clinical improvement was reported for 1 dog, and moderate improvement was reported in the other dog. Ultrasonographically, there was a considerable change in the parenchyma and an increase in size of the adrenal glands. Adverse effects consisted of 1 dog with transient lethargy and 1 dog with anorexia.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Trilostane is an efficacious and safe medication for treatment of dogs with PDH. Additional studies in a larger group of dogs and characterization of progressive changes in adrenal glands are needed. (Am J Vet Res 2002;63:506–512).

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate whether determination of parathyroid gland size by use of ultrasonography is helpful in differentiating acute renal failure (ARF) from chronic renal failure (CRF) in dogs.

Design—Prospective study.

Animals—20 dogs with renal failure in which serum creatinine concentration was at least 5 times the upper reference limit. Seven dogs had ARF, and 13 dogs had CRF. Twenty-three healthy dogs were used as controls.

Procedure—Dogs were positioned in dorsal recumbency for ultrasonographic examination of the ventral portion of the neck, A 10-MHz linear-array high-resolution transducer was used. The size of the parathyroid gland was determined by measuring the maximal length of the gland on the screen when it was imaged in longitudinal section. For comparison among groups, the longest linear dimension of any of the parathyroid glands of each dog was used.

Results—Size of the parathyroid glands in the control dogs varied from 2.0 to 4.6 mm (median, 3.3 mm). In the dogs with ARF, gland size ranged from 2.4 to 4.0 mm (median, 2.7), which was not significantly different from controls. In dogs with CRF, the glands were more distinctly demarcated from the surrounding thyroid tissue, than those of controls and dogs with ARF. Sizes ranged from 3.9 to 8.1 mm (median, 5.7 mm), which was significantly larger, compared with controls and dogs with ARF.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—In dogs with severe azotemia, ultrasonographic examination of the parathyroid glands was helpful in differentiating ARF from CRF. Size of the parathyroid glands appeared to be related to body weight. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;217:1849–1852)