Research Communications of the 27(th) ECVIM-CA Congress: Intercontinental, Saint Julian's, Malta, 14th to 16th September 2017

There was a significant difference between the ACTH concentrations after DOCP (median = 2.5 pg/mL) compared to those after fludrocortisone (median = 150 pg/mL) or before starting DOCP (median = 128 pg/mL). There was also a significant reduction in prednisolone dose during the DOCP phase from a median starting dose of 0.22 mg/kg to 0.13 mg/kg. After 3 months of treatment with DOCP and prednisolone 21 out of 31 dogs had ACTH concentrations less than 10 pg/mL (suggesting suppression of the ACTH secretion). No significant correlation was found between the final prednisolone dose and the ACTH concentration at the end of the DOCP phase. In contrast, 18 of the 31 dogs had ACTH concentrations more than 100 pg/mL (possibly suggesting inadequate glucocorticoid supplementation) following 3 months of treatment with fludrocortisone.