2017 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

A standardized work-up was performed in all dogs with GIS >3 weeks duration presented to one of the specialists of the German gastroenterology working group between November 2014 and December 2015. This included a basal serum cortisol measurement, and an ACTH stimulation test (ACTHST) if basal serum cortisol was < 3 lg/dL. 151 dogs were prospectively included. Basal serum cortisol concentration was < 3 lg/dL in 80/151 (53%) and < 2 lg/dL in 42/ 151 (28%) dogs. In 6/151 dogs HA was diagnosed based on ACTHST (stimulated serum cortisol concentration < 2 lg/dL), representing a prevalence of 4%. No hyperkalemia/ hyponatremia was observed in any dog with HA. In 5/6 HA dogs, melena or hematochezia was noted. No historical information or laboratory parameter was able to separate HA from other disorders causing chronic GIS.