Subcutaneous administration of desoxycorticosterone pivalate for the treatment of canine hypoadrenocorticism

Twelve dogs with hypoadrenocorticism were treated with subcutaneous desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP). Eight of these dogs were recently diagnosed and had not yet been treated. Four dogs previously had been diagnosed and treated (three with intramuscular DOCP, one with oral fludrocortisone acetate). History, physical examination, serum electrolytes, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were evaluated. Desoxycorticosterone pivalate (2.2 mg/kg body weight) was administered every 25 days. On day 0, recently diagnosed dogs had a median serum sodium concentration of 131.5 mEq/L, median serum potassium concentration of 6.6 mEq/L, and median BUN of 41.5 mg/dl. All subsequent median serum electrolyte and BUN concentrations were normal. All previously treated dogs had normal blood values which were maintained throughout the study.