2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Dogs were prospectively enrolled at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego between February 2015 and October 2015. Inclusion criteria for enrollment included prescribed long-term (≥ 3 weeks) administration of at least 0.5 mg/kg/day prednisoneequivalent of GCs. Serum Spec cPL concentration was measured prior to initiation of GC therapy so each dog served as its own control. A second measurement of serum Spec cPL concentration was obtained in all dogs after at least 3 weeks of treatment with GCs. Only dogs that had no dosage change within one week of sampling were evaluated. The dose of GCs recorded was the dose that was being administered at the time that the second serum sample was collected. Cases were excluded if there was poor owner compliance with GC administration (defined as missing more than two consecutive doses of GCs) or if there was administration of other medications known or suspected to increase serum Spec cPL concentrations (e.g. potassium bromide or phenobarbital) or GC administration within the 3 months prior to enrollment. Comparison of serum Spec cPL between pre GC administration and ≥ 3 weeks post GC administration was performed using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test. Statistical significance was set as P < 0.05.