Deoxycorticosterone pivalate in the control of canine hypoadrenocorticism – case reports

Abstract

Primary hypoadrenocorticism or Addison’s disease is an endocrinopathy involving glucocorticoid deficiency, commonly associated with mineralocorticoid deficiency. The most commonly used treatment for hormone replacement involves the combination of fludrocortisone and prednisone. Deoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) has been shown in the literature to be superior in electrolyte control in patients with hypoadrenocorticism, and should always be associated with prednisone/prednisolona. In this study, we report the benefit of DOCP and the two-stage dose adjustment protocol for this drug in 2 different cases. There was superior efficacy in electrolyte control and reduction of side effects with the DOCP and prednisolone protocol compared to the use of fludrocortisone in both patients.