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Blood Pressure and Adrenocortical Hormone Profiles in 84 Ill Dogs with Normal Post-ACTH Cortisol Concentrations
Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
|April 21, 2026
Summary
Ill dogs with high blood pressure may have increased adrenocortical hormones. Healthy dogs also showed elevated sex hormones, suggesting potential risks even in normotensive canines.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Endocrinology
- Canine Health
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Background:
- Hypercortisolism is a concern in dogs, but its relationship with blood pressure and non-cortisol hormones is not fully understood.
- Previous studies have focused on cortisol, but other adrenocortical hormones may play a role in canine hypertension.
- Understanding these relationships is crucial for diagnosing and managing ill dogs with clinical signs suggestive of Cushing's disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and adrenocortical hormones in ill dogs.
- To compare hormone levels in normotensive, prehypertensive, and hypertensive ill dogs.
- To identify potential risks for hypertension associated with specific adrenocortical hormone profiles.
Main Methods:
- Systolic blood pressure was measured using Doppler in 10 normotensive controls and 84 ill dogs.
- Dogs were categorized into normotensive (NT), prehypertensive (PHT), and hypertensive (HT) groups.
- Serum concentrations of cortisol, progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, and aldosterone were measured before and after ACTH stimulation.
Main Results:
- Ill dogs were older, smaller, and received higher ACTH doses per kilogram compared to controls.
- Baseline and post-ACTH hormone levels were generally higher in ill dogs compared to controls, with some exceptions.
- No significant differences in hormone concentrations were found between SBP groups, but ill dogs often had abnormal hormone levels.
Conclusions:
- Ill dogs with prehypertension or hypertension may be at risk due to increased non-cortisol adrenocortical hormones.
- Elevated adrenocortical sex hormones were observed even in normotensive healthy dogs, indicating potential underlying issues.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay between adrenocortical hormones, blood pressure, and canine health.
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