title: Efficacy of microcrystalline desoxycorticosterone pivalate for treatment of hypoadrenocorticism in dogs. DOCP Clinical Study Group.
abstract: The efficacy of microcrystalline desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) therapy was evaluated in 60 dogs with hypoadrenocorticism. Fifty-one of the dogs were being treated with either DOCP or fludrocortisone acetate prior to entering the study. The disease had been recently diagnosed in 9 dogs that were not under maintenance treatment prior to entering the study. Desoxycorticosterone pivalate (2.2 mg/kg of body weight, IM) was administered on days 0, 25, and 50. Physical examination was performed, and blood samples were obtained for serum biochemical analysis (Na+, K+, and BUN concentrations) on days 0, 14, 25, 39, 50, 64, and 75. On day 75 of the study, a final physical examination was performed and the course of treatment was evaluated. Sixty-eight percent (41/60) of the dogs had normal physical findings on day 0 vs 87% (52/60) on day 75. Mean (+/- SD) body weight increased from 24.8 +/- 12.7 kg on day 0 to 26.2 +/- 13.7 kg on day 75. Mean serum Na+ (137.7 +/- 8.5 mEq/L) and K+ (5.6 1.0 mEq/L) concentrations and Na(+)-to-K+ ratio (25.4 +/- 5.0:1) were outside normal reference limits on day 0. By day 75, serum Na+ (144.3 +/- 4.8 mEq/L) and K+ (4.9 +/- 0.8 mEq/L) concentrations and Na(+)-to-K+ ratio (30.4 +/- 5.1:1) were normal and were significantly (P < 0.01) improved, compared with the corresponding values on day 0. Of the 60 dogs, 58 (97%) regained the loss in body weight, appetite, and muscular strength while given DOCP; once achieved, these improvements were maintained. These 58 dogs did not vomit or have diarrhea, common problems in dogs with hypoadrenocorticism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: CIBA-GEIGY Animal Health, Greensboro, NC 27419.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Lynn
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D001947:Breeding; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D013535:Suspensions
chemical_list: D013535:Suspensions; C019323:deoxycortone pivalate; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium