AbstractCaninehypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease) is an endocrine condition caused by a deficiency ofglucocorticoids(primarily cortisol), often with a concurrent deficiency in mineralocorticoids (primarily aldosterone). Most resources on hypoadrenocorticism focus on acute management of the addisonian crisis or general principles of diagnosis and treatment. However, long-term ...
For cortisol deficiency, a small daily dose ofglucocorticoidsis recommended. Many dogs require doses <0.1 mg/kg/day of prednisone or prednisolone, and 0.25 mg/kg/day should be enough to manage all clinically stable dogs with HA long term. Otherglucocorticoidsare acceptable, and the dose should be calculated on a prednisone-equivalent basis.
Glucocorticoidsare commonly administered to reduce mucosal inflammation and gastrointestinal signs. The study objective was to evaluate the effects ofdietand oral prednisone on the spatial distribution of mucosal bacteria in IBD dogs. Eight dogs diagnosed with IBD were treated with immunosuppressive doses of prednisone.
Glucocorticoidshave an important role in many of the treatments we provide as veterinarians. The list of conditions and diseases that are treated withglucocorticoidsis long and includes immune-mediated disease, inflammation of various tissues, hormonal replacement (glucocorticoiddeficiency), neurologic disease, and cancer.
Theglucocorticoidaction relies on theglucocorticoidreceptor (GR) which translocates into the nucleus upon ligand-binding and regulates transcription of a battery of genes.
Glucocorticoiddoses generally include an anti-inflammatory dose that is lower and an immune-suppressive dose that is higher, though with long enough term use, lower doses will become immune-suppressive. When steroid use stretches out for more than four months, a new set of side effects, in addition to those listed above, becomes of concern:
