Diagnosis and Management of Common Canine Endocrine Diseases
50
About the Course:
This course provides an overview of four common canine endocrine diseases: hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease), and hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease). Topics covered will include pathophysiology and etiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, management, and prognosis, as well as special notes on common complications or other factors that clinicians should be aware of.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the etiology and pathophysiology of canine hypothyroidism.
- Discuss screening and confirmatory tests for canine hypothyroidism and common pitfalls of diagnosis.
- Manage a newly diagnosed case of canine hypothyroidism, including medical treatment and monitoring.
- Describe the etiology and pathophysiology of canine diabetes mellitus.
- Treat a newly diagnosed case of diabetes mellitus with insulin, performing appropriate glucose curve testing to ensure adequate diabetes regulation.
- Describe the Somogyi effect and how it complicates monitoring of dogs with diabetes mellitus.
- List three tests that can be performed as screening tests for Cushing’s disease.
- List three diagnostic tests that can be used to distinguish between pituitary-dependent and adrenal-dependent Cushing’s disease.
- Discuss the two drugs that can be used to treat pituitary-dependent Cushing’s disease and how drug therapy is monitored.
- Explain the best cortisol supplement for a patient that is suspected of having Addison’s disease but has not yet received an ACTH stimulation test.
- Compare and contrast the use of DOCP and fludrocortisone in the treatment of Addison’s disease.
- Educate a client on at-home monitoring for a dog with Addison’s disease.