Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with adrenal tumor causing high corticosterone and aldosterone
By Behrend, Ellen N et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2005·Department of Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Corticosterone- and aldosterone-secreting adrenocortical tumor in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old male dog was brought in showing signs of excessive thirst and urination, which led to tests revealing high sodium and low potassium levels. Imaging showed a tumor on the adrenal gland, confirmed to be an adrenocortical carcinoma (a type of cancer). The dog was treated with mitotane, a medication that helps manage adrenal tumors, and it worked well for about four months. Unfortunately, the dog had to be euthanized later due to unrelated neurological issues.
People also search for: dog adrenal tumor treatment · excessive thirst in dogs · mitotane for dog cancer
Abstract
A dog was evaluated for clinical signs suggestive of hypercortisolemia. Serum biochemical testing revealed hypernatremia and hypokalemia. Serum cortisol concentration after injection of ACTH was less than the lower reference limit. An adrenal gland tumor was visualized via ultrasonography and computed tomography. Histologic examination confirmed that the mass was an adrenocortical carcinoma. Excess adrenal secretion of corticosterone was hypothesized to be the cause of the signs of glucocorticoid excess. Serum corticosterone secretion was high before and after ACTH injection, compared with clinically normal dogs and dogs with hypercortisolemia and classic hyperadrenocorticism. Hyperaldosteronemia was detected as well. Treatment with mitotane was instituted and successful for a period of 4-months until the dog was euthanatized for neurologic problems that were most likely unrelated to endocrine disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15906564/