Cortisol – ACTH Stimulation Profile – Small Animal (ChL)

Measurement of cortisol at baseline and post ACTH stimulation with Cortrosyn (cosyntropin) by chemiluminescence. 

0.5 mL serum for each pre and post ACTH administration

When monitoring trilostane therapy, the ACTH stimulation test should be initiated 4-6 hours after administration of trilostane. 


Canine Samples

• Collect pre-ACTH blood sample. 
• Administer Cosyntropin at 5 µg/kg or 250 µg/dog IV or IM. 
• Compounded ACTH (gel) can be administered at 2.2 U/kg IM, see limitations below. 
• Collect post sample, 1-hour after administration of ACTH.
• Avoid hemolysis.

Feline Samples

• Collect pre-ACTH blood sample. 
• Administer Cosyntropin at 5 µg/kg or 125 µg/cat IV or IM. 
• Compounded ACTH (gel) can be administered at 2.2 U/kg IM, see limitations below. 
• Collect post sample, 1-hour after administration of ACTH.
• Avoid hemolysis.

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

Label all samples. Ship overnight on cold packs.

The utilization of compounded ACTH (“gel”) is discouraged due to lower purity and lower quality control, potentially resulting in inadequate or excessive stimulation. When ACTH (“gel”) is utilized, a 1-hour post sample is considered sufficient to characterize adrenal function, whereas cortisol concentrations may vary considerably at 2-hours post ACTH administration, depending on the formulation.

When monitoring trilostane therapy, the ACTH stimulation test should be initiated 4-6 hours after administration of trilostane.