Cortisol – ACTH Stimulation Profile – Small Animal (ChL)
Measurement of cortisol at baseline and post ACTH stimulation with Cortosyn (cosyntropin) by chemiluminescence.
Name
Cortisol – ACTH Stimulation Profile – Small Animal (ChL)
Code
1588.W
Section
Clinical Pathology
Species
Specimen
0.5 mL serum for each pre and post ACTH administration
Sampling Requirements
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.
Collection Container
Remove from red cells and place sample in an additive free transport tube.
Packing Instructions
Label all samples. Ship overnight on cold packs.
Special Instructions
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.
