Efficacy of microcrystalline desoxycorticosterone pivalate for treatment of hypoadrenocorticism in dogs. DOCP Clinical Study Group.

The efficacy of microcrystalline desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) therapy was evaluated in 60 dogs with hypoadrenocorticism. Fifty-one of the dogs were being treated with either DOCP or fludrocortisone acetate prior to entering the study. The disease had been recently diagnosed in 9 dogs that were not under maintenance treatment prior to entering the study. Desoxycorticosterone pivalate (2.2 mg/kg of body weight, IM) was administered on days 0, 25, and 50. Physical examination was performed, and blood samples were obtained for serum biochemical analysis (Na+, K+, and BUN concentrations) on days 0, 14, 25, 39, 50, 64, and 75. On day 75 of the study, a final physical examination was performed and the course of treatment was evaluated. Sixty-eight percent (41/60) of the dogs had normal physical findings on day 0 vs 87% (52/60) on day 75. Mean (+/- SD) body weight increased from 24.8 +/- 12.7 kg on day 0 to 26.2 +/- 13.7 kg on day 75. Mean serum Na+ (137.7 +/- 8.5 mEq/L) and K+ (5.6 1.0 mEq/L) concentrations and Na(+)-to-K+ ratio (25.4 +/- 5.0:1) were outside normal reference limits on day 0. By day 75, serum Na+ (144.3 +/- 4.8 mEq/L) and K+ (4.9 +/- 0.8 mEq/L) concentrations and Na(+)-to-K+ ratio (30.4 +/- 5.1:1) were normal and were significantly (P < 0.01) improved, compared with the corresponding values on day 0. Of the 60 dogs, 58 (97%) regained the loss in body weight, appetite, and muscular strength while given DOCP; once achieved, these improvements were maintained. These 58 dogs did not vomit or have diarrhea, common problems in dogs with hypoadrenocorticism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)