| |
|
|
| |
|
VETERINARY
HANDBOOK
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
FELINE ADRENAL DISEASE |
| |
|
|
| |
 |
Urine Cortisol/Creatinine
Ratio |
| |
|
| |
Urine Cortisol/Creatinine Ratio
(UCCR) is a very sensitive test to exclude HAC but must
not be used to diagnose HAC as it is not specific and non-adrenal
illness may give a false positive result.
A morning urine sample is collected and this reflects the cortisol
release over several hours.
Normal cats have a CCR less than 10 x 10-6 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Feline ACTH stimulation
Test |
| |
|
| |
Feline ACTH stimulation Test, this
test may be affected by a variety of chronic illnesses.
1. Collect basal blood sample.
2. Inject 0.125 mg* of synthetic ACTH (Synacthen, Alliance Pharmaceuticals)
i/v.
3. Collect two further blood samples at one and three hours
later.
4. Label sample tubes clearly and request cortisol. * 0.25mg
may be used in cats over 5kg
Interpretation
Normal cats will increase up to about 400 nmol/L. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Feline Combined
High-Dose Dexamethasone/ACTH Test |
| |
|
| |
Feline Combined High-Dose Dexamethasone/ACTH Test, this test
is reported to be less affected by other illness.
1. Collect basal blood sample.
2. Inject 0.1mg/kg Dexamethasone i/v.
3. Collect a second blood sample at 2 hours.
4. Immediately inject 0.125 mg of synthetic ACTH (Synacthen,Alliance
Pharmaceuticals) i/v.
5. Collect a third blood sample at 3 hours (1 hour after ACTH).
6. Label sample tubes clearly and request cortisol.
Interpretation
Normal cats show at least 50% suppression after dexamethasone
and normal cortisol response after ACTH stimulation (up to
400 nmol/L). Cats with HAC show little suppression after dexamethasone
and an exaggerated response after ACTH.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
ACTH - Endogenous |
| |
|
| |
Endogenous ACTH test may be used
to assist in the diagnosis of feline HAC and is useful in differentiating
PDH and ADH but it should not be used as a single test in the
first instance. Special sample handling procedures are required.
See canine adrenal section for sampling
procedure. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Urine Cortisol:Creatinine
Ratio & Dexamethasone Suppression Test |
| |
|
| |
| |
Cortisol/Creatinine Ratio & Dexamethasone Suppression
Test (UCCR/Dex). When Cushing's disease is strongly
suspected, this is a test which is especially useful
in cats as they usually get very stressed when visiting
the vet. All the sampling is done at home by the owner
and samples sent on to the lab together.
The procedure is the same as for the Canine
UCCR/Dex test, except that the litter in
the litter tray is replaced with washed and dried aquarium
gravel and the urine samples collected with a plastic
pipette. Wash the tray and gravel and dry thoroughly
between samples.
|
| |
|
|
|
