Abstract

The aim of the study is to determine clinical and paraclinical elements useful in the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism, given that the symptoms are varied and often similar to dermatitis or liver disease. Clinical signs in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism were especially of dermatological nature (bilateral alopecia, thin skin along with elastosis and hyperpigmentation, calcinosis cutis and muscle weakness and abdominal enlargement � �potbelly�), accompanied by polyuria and polydipsia. Blood tests performed on 14 dogs of different breed, age and gender revealed moderate hyperglycemia (143.4�3.3 mg/dl), hypercholesterolemia (332�2.9 mg/dl), increased serum alkaline phosphatase (378�3.8 UI/L), alanine aminotransferase (ALT=93.26�2.6 UI/L), aspartate aminotransferase (AST=89.72�2.3 UI/L) and abnormal plasma cortisol (50�3.5 ng/dl). Thorough ultrasonography revealed hypertrophy of the adrenal glands (2.92x1.43 cm). The histopathologic lesions include active metabolic cells (big, rich colored and strong-cored), containing lipid structures (steroids� precursors) and metabolic inactive cells (small, dark colored, pyknotic cored or rich in heterochromatin). Hyperglycemia, polyuria / polydipsia or elevated serum alkaline phosphatase without a significant increase in serum transaminases (AST and ALT) raises suspicion of Cushing`s syndrome. If these biochemical diagnostic elements evolve along with dermatological signs (bilateral alopecia, hyperpigmentation, muscle weakness), the diagnosis of Cushing`s syndrome is more likely.

Highlights

  • Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing syndrome) is a complex disease, with systemic clinical signs, the reason for a doctor appointment usually involves dermatological reasons; among dermatological examinations, Cushing syndrome counts 2% out of total cases (1.5% iatrogenic and 0.5% spontaneous)

  • The most common clinical signs are completed by the polyuric-polydipsic syndrome, and as a result differential diagnosis should be considered, including diabetes, kidney diseases or pyometra in females [1, 2]

  • Researches were made on 14 clinical cases, different breed, age and gender, all of them having in common dermatological signs associated with polyuria/polydipsia

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Summary

Introduction

Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing syndrome) is a complex disease, with systemic clinical signs, the reason for a doctor appointment usually involves dermatological reasons; among dermatological examinations, Cushing syndrome counts 2% out of total cases (1.5% iatrogenic and 0.5% spontaneous). The most common clinical signs are completed by the polyuric-polydipsic syndrome, and as a result differential diagnosis should be considered, including diabetes, kidney diseases or pyometra in females [1, 2]. Increased serum transaminases in animals with hyperadrenocorticism are not enlightening for the diagnosis, since this syndrome is common to other diseases. Establishing a clinical and paraclinical protocol for the hyperadrenocorticism syndrome allows submitting to an immediate treatment [3]

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