Pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism in a shi tzu dog treated with twice-daily oral trilostane: a case report

Resumo

Hyperadrenocorticism can be defined as a chronic high circulating cortisol, and is a relatively common disease in dogs when compared to cats. Of dogs with naturally occurring HAC, 80 to 85% have pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH), which is an excessive secretion of ACTH by the pituitary, causing bilateral adrenal hyperplasia and excessive secretion of glucocorticoids. More than 90% of dogs with PDH have a pituitary tumor. The aim of this article is to report a case of a dog, seven years old, female, Shi Tzu, that presented with panting, polyuria/polydipsia, polyphagia, pendulous abdomen and bilateral abdominal alopecia, and intermittent weakness in the pelvic limbs. Based on laboratorial and screening tests a pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism was diagnosed and treated with twice-daily trilostane, orally. In the early monitoring period, ACTH test was performed with an unusual interval (to 30 days). In this case, the starting dose didn’t show improvement in the cutaneous alterations, requiring an increase on the dosage.