title: Clinicopathologic findings resembling hypoadrenocorticism in dogs with primary gastrointestinal disease.
abstract: Nine dogs with primary gastrointestinal disease had clinical and laboratory findings resembling hypoadrenocorticism. The dogs had histories of anorexia, weakness or lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. Hypothermia, dehydration, and emaciation also were detected on physical examination. Hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and abnormally low Na/K ratios were found on laboratory evaluation, but results of ACTH-response tests were not compatible with hypoadrenocorticism. The primary diagnoses were trichuriasis and salmonellosis in 2 dogs, trichuriasis in 5 dogs, and perforated duodenal ulcer in 2 dogs. Most dogs responded to medical or surgical treatment of their primary gastrointestinal disease, and the original electrolyte abnormalities resolved. These findings emphasize the importance of the ACTH-response test in the diagnostic evaluation of dogs with clinicopathologic findings similar to those of hypoadrenocorticism.
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: DiBartola
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Davenport
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Prueter
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Sherding
mesh_terms: D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004285:Dogs; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010439:Peptic Ulcer Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D012481:Salmonella Infections, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D014839:Vomiting / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium; D006854:Hydrocortisone