Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Adrenal toxicity in dogs and cats as a contributing cause of hormonal and immune destabilization.
- Journal:
- Journal of applied toxicology : JAT
- Year:
- 2004
- Authors:
- Plechner, Alfred J
- Affiliation:
- California Animal Hospital · United States
Plain-English summary
The adrenal glands in dogs and cats can be sensitive to toxins, which may lead to problems with producing cortisol, a hormone that helps regulate many body functions. Pets with various health issues, like allergies or cancer, often show signs of low cortisol levels, which can disrupt their hormonal balance and weaken their immune system. This can be caused by genetic factors or damage from environmental toxins. A new blood test can help identify these hormonal and immune imbalances, and a treatment involving low doses of steroid medications can help replace the missing cortisol. Although there has been some hesitation to use steroids long-term due to concerns about side effects, using them at low doses has been effective for many pets over the years.
Abstract
The adrenal cortex is regarded as the organ most vulnerable to toxicity within the endocrine system. The production of cortisol, among the many steroidal hormones produced by the cortex, may suffer as a result. In a veterinary clinical practice, household dogs and cats with a wide variety of diseases ranging from allergies to cancer commonly have a cortisol deficiency or defect that triggers endocrine imbalances and immune system destabilization. The causes of deficient cortisol are linked primarily to genetics but also to acquired adrenal damage likely stemming from environmental toxins. An innovative blood test to determine relevant endocrine-immune imbalances in pets and a treatment method based on low-dosage steroidal medication, as a form of cortisol replacement therapy, are described. Despite a prevailing reluctance to use steroidal medications long term because of the fear of side effects, extended and even life-time usage of these medications at low, physiologic dosages has been applied successfully for decades and appears to be gaining wider acceptance. The validity of a combined testing and treatment method for humans based on the veterinary model deserves investigation as a tool with which to identify and correct toxic damage to adrenal function.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14745847/