Cortisol – ACTH Stimulation Profile – Canine 2 Hour (ChL)

0.5 mL serum

According to the 2012 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) consensus statement on canine hyperadrenocorticism:--Only the use of synthetic ACTH (Cosyntropin) is recommended, whereas the utilization of compounded ACTH ("gel") is discouraged due to lower purity and lower quality control.--Acceptable doses for Cosyntropin are 5 µg/kg or 250 µg/dog IV or IM (lower doses than 5 µg/kg have never been validated in Cushing dogs), and 2.2 U/kg IM for compounded ACTH.--Using Cosyntropin, the cortisol peak occurs 60 - 90 minutes post injection, with no significant difference between 60 and 90 minutes.--Using compounded ACTH ("gel"), cortisol concentrations are similar across various compounded ACTH products (and to the gold standard Cosyntropin 5 µg/kg IV) at 60 minutes post injection, whereas cortisol concentrations vary considerably at later times.--Avoid hemolysis.

Remove from red cells and place sample in an additive free transport tube.

Label all samples. Ship overnight on cold packs.

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