Pet of the Month March 2001
"Doobie"  "Doobie" an eleven year
old male American Eskimo dog, was presented to Heritage Animal Hospital, Ltd., in April 2000 for increased water consumption and urination, vomiting, lethargy and noisy breathing/panting/snoring. A
physical exam revealed a large pendulus abdomen/pot belly and liver enzymes and cholesterol. A urinalysis revealed dilute urine and elevated cortisol levels. A low dexamethasone suppression
test confirmed our suspicions of hyperadrenalcorticism. This is a condition in which "Doobie's" adrenal glands were producing too much
cortisol (a type of steroid). In Doobie's case this was found to be due to an overactive pituitary gland. Doobie also had high blood pressure a common side
affect of hyperadrenalcorticism. A Trial course of a drug called Anipryl was tried to relieve Doobie's symptoms without success.  A very potent drug called Mitotane was then started. Enacard was also used to decrease Doobie's blood
pressure until the Mitotane brought Doobie's hyperadrenocorticism under control. Doobie needed to be on Mitotane for only 12 days until blood monitoring showed his cortisol levels to
be back to normal levels and his symptoms were resolving.
Today, Doobie is apparently
happy and healthy, but continues to need monitoring for re-occurrence of hyperadrenalcorticism.
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