Prednisolone doses adjusted by ACTH tests in Addisonian dogs

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prednisolone and fludrocortisone dosages in dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism after integrating endogenous ACTH (eACTH) determination into the surveillance regimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The local electronic medical records database was searched for dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism and a complete follow-up including routine eACTH measurements until stabilisation. Dogs were considered stable if they showed no signs of glucocorticoid deficiency or excess, sodium and potassium were within the laboratory reference limits and no change of prednisolone and/or fludrocortisone dosage was recommended by the clinician. To avoid subclinical glucocorticoid overreplacement prednisolone was routinely reduced in case of eACTH concentrations below the detection limit of the assay. RESULTS: Thirteen client-owned dogs were eligible for inclusion in the study. Stabilisation was achieved after a median (range) of 14 (1-36) months and 4 (2-9) visits. After exclusion of two patients that did not need additional glucocorticoids, the prednisolone dosage was 0.06 (0.02-0.26) mg/kg/day and 9.1 times lower than the starting dose. No correlation was identified between prednisolone dosage in mg/kg/day and bodyweight (r= -0.369, p = 0.215). The final fludrocortisone dose was 0.022 (0.013-0.036) mg/kg/day. The median (range) survival time of the dogs that had died during the study period (n = 6) and all dogs was 74.5 (62-98) months and 71 (18-104) months, respectively. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The integration of eACTH measurement into treatment surveillance helps to optimise glucocorticoid replacement therapy. It supports treatment recommendations and is a particular aid in dogs with ambiguous clinical signs. The results suggest that most dogs on fludrocortisone substitution therapy benefit from additional very low dose prednisolone.