Discontinuation of Prednisone before ACTH test?

Steroids will definitely alter the ACTH stim results. I'm not sure with
prednisone exactly how long you should be off, but I'd think that 24 hrs
would be the minimum. The real question here is, why wasn't a stim run
before the pred? I guess I would have to say that if your dog is ONLY on
pred, and not another drug, then he probably isn't Addisonian. Generally
speaking, the mineralocorticoid deficiency is what causes the most severe
signs, not glucocorticoid deficiency, and pred only replaces the
glucocorticoids. I would just sit down with your vet and explain your
concerns, and ask him/her to alleviate those concerns.

Deborah, DVM


"buglady" <buglady99.TakeThisOut@bigfootdog.com> wrote in message
news:SRcii.2936$rR.485@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> <alstead.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1183396641.873902.16360@o61g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
>> My 6 year old Lab mix has shown symptoms consistent with Addison's,
>> and has been on prednisone 10mg morn, 10mg eve. His current vet suggests
> an
>> ACTH test and is recommending a discontinuation of the Prednisone
>> for 24 hours. My understanding is that precipitous discontinuation
>> of hormone replacement in a case of true Addison's could be very
>> dangerous!
> ..........hmmmmmmmm, why was dog on pred? If Addison's was suspected, the
> ACTH test should have been run first. Not all Addisonian dogs need pred.
>
> ......as to your question, it would make me pause also. Storm coming,
> gotta
> disconnect so can't search, so I hope some vets answer you. Start reading
> all you can about the ACTH stimulation test and Addison's. I have a
> sneaking suspicion it wouldn't make any difference if the dog was on pred
> or
> not, but am not sure.
>
> buglady
> take out the dog before replying
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Discontinuation of Prednisone before ACTH test?