DIAGNOSIS OF HYPERADRENOCORTICISM IN DOGS

Excessive secretion of cortisol by the adrenal cortex causes spontaneo us canine hyperadrenocorticism. After history and physical examination , specific screening test results help to support the diagnosis of hyp eradrenocorticism. The adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test an d the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test reliably confirm the dia gnosis in suspect cases. All diagnostic information should be interpre ted as a whole, rather than basing diagnosis on an individual abnormal finding. This article also discusses discrimination tests that are cu rrently available for differentiating pituitary-dependent hyperadrenoc orticism from an adrenocortical tumor once a diagnosis of spontaneous canine hyperadrenocorticism has been made.