Overview

• Administration of supraphysiological dose of ACTH ACTH causes maximal release of cortisol by adrenal glands.

Sampling

Tests

Availability

• Available at most commercial laboratories.

Validity

Sensitivity

• Slightly less reliable than dexamethasone suppression test Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test for identifying hyperadrenocorticism.
• Reliably identifies >50% of dogs with ADH and ~85% of dogs with PDH.

Specificity

• Less affected by non-adrenal disease than low dose dexamethasone suppression test.

Result Data

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from VetMedResource and PubMed.
• Aldridge C, Behrend E N, Kemppainen RJ, Lee-Fowler T M, Martin L G, Ward C R, Bruyette D, Pannu J, Gaillard P & Lee H P (2016) Comparison of 2 doses for ACTH stimulation testing in dogs suspected of or treated for hyperadrenocorticism. JVIM 30,1637-1641 PubMed Full Article.
• Midence I N, Drobatz K I & Jess R S (2015) Cortisol concentrations in well regulated dogs with hyperadrenocorticism treated with trilostane. JVIM 29 1529-1533 PubMed Full Article.
• Dunn K J, Herrtage M E & Dunn J K (1995) Use of ACTH stimulation tests to monitor the treatment of canine hyperadrenocorticism. Vet Rec 137, 161-165 PubMed.
• Kaplan A J, Peterson M E & Kemppainen R J (1995) Effects of disease on the results of diagnostic tests for the use in detecting hyperadrenocorticism in dogs. JAVMA 207, 445-451 PubMed.