Overview

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

Sampling

Tests

Availability

• Available at most commercial laboratories.

Validity

Specificity

• Less affected by non-adrenal disease than Low Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test.
• Specificity around 86%.

Sensitivity

• Sensitivity around 56% (high risk of false negatives) so the ACTH stimulation test is not currently recommended as the initial diagnostic test in cats with suspected HAC.

Result Data

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from VetMedResource and PubMed.
• Boland L A & Barrs V R (2017) Peculiarities of feline hyperadrenocorticism - Update on diagnosis and treatment. J Feline Med Surg 19, 933-947 PubMed.
• Valentin S Y, Cortright C C, Nelson R W, Pressler B M, Rosenberg D, Moore G E & Scott-Moncrieff J C (2014) Clinical findings, diagnostic test results and treatment outcome in cats with spontaneous hyperadrenocorticism: 30 cases. JVIM 28 (2), 481-487 PubMed.
• Schoeman J P, Evans H J, Childs D & Herrtage M E (2000) Cortisol response to two different doses of intravenous synthetic ACTH (tetracosacrin) in overweight cats. JSAP 41, 552-557.
• Zobe C A, Refsal K R, Peterson M E, Armstrong P J, Nachreiner R F & Schall W D (1987) Effects of non-adrenal illness on adrenal function in the cat. Am J Vet Res 48, 451-454.