What is the diagnostic test of choice for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in cats and dogs?
Serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity
(cTLI, fTLI)
In dogs that suffer from Addison disease (hypoadrenocorticism), what are the two most common electrolyte disturbances?
- Hyperkalemia
- Hyponatremia
Metabolic acidosis is also common
Hyperglycemia, glucosuria, ketonuria, and metabolic acidosis are the hallmark findings of which endocrine disorder?
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Describe the expected serum ionized calcium (iCa2+), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) concentrations in primary hyperparathyroidism.
- Elevated iCa2+ with normal to elevated PTH, or
- Normal iCa2+ with elevated PTH
- Undetectable (low) PTHrP in either case
Central diabetes insipidus can be differentiated from nephrogenic diabetes insipidus based on which test?
Vasopressin/antidiuretic hormone (ADH) response test
Note that a water deprivation test does not distinguish between central and nephrogenic forms.
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) increases serum calcium levels by acting on which organ systems?
- Gastrointestinal (increases calcium absorption)
- Renal (decreases calcium excretion)
- Bone (increases osteoclastic activity)
Which physiologic stimulus leads to vasopressin (a.k.a antidiuretic hormone or ADH) release from the pituitary?
Increased plasma osmolality
(also severe hypovolemia and hypotension)
Which two hormones are most directly responsible for water and solute resorption by the kidney?
- Aldosterone
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH, a.k.a. vasopressin)
Which effect is excessive estrogen classically described as having on the bone marrow?
Destruction, leading to pancytopenia and aplastic anemia
What are the major inhibitors of parathyroid hormone (PTH) synthesis and secretion?
- Increased plasma calcium
- Increased levels of vitamin D3 (1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol)
Which hormone does the corpus luteum produce?
Progesterone
The amino acid structure of canine insulin is identical to that of which other mammal?
Porcine
Which explains the preference for pork-based or pork-analog insulin for treatment of diabetic dogs.
Which group of substances, secreted from functional pheochromocytomas, is responsible for the clinical signs seen with this tumor?
Catecholamines
e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine
What is the most biologically active form of thyroid hormone?
Triiodothyronine
(T3)
T4 is produced by the gland and deiodinated peripherally in the tissues, but T3 interacts with the tissue receptors.
Which hormone’s primary function is to stimulate secretion of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex?
Adrenocorticotropic hormone
(ACTH)
Calcinosis cutis is a possible clinical sign of which endocrine disease?
Hyperadrenocorticism
What is the name of a rare complication of hypothyroidism characterized by nonpitting thickening of the skin, especially of the eyelids, cheeks, and forehead?
Myxedema
An adult dog presents with gastrointestinal signs, lethargy, and the lack of a stress leukogram on its complete blood count.
Perform which endocrine test?
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test
(to rule in or out hypoadrenocorticism)
In the presence of anti-thyroxine (T4) antibodies, is the measured total T4 higher or lower than the actual total T4?
Higher
Anti-T4 antibodies bind reagent in vitro and trigger a falsely elevated reading.
The amino acid structure of feline insulin is most similar to that of which other mammal?
Bovine
(one amino acid difference)
This explains the preference for beef-based insulin for treatment in cats.
Name four biochemical imbalances that commonly require treatment as part of managing severe diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Acidemia/acidosis
- Hyperglycemia
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypokalemia
- Hypomagnesemia
- Hypophosphatemia
- Ketosis
Emphysematous cystitis may be seen in association with which endocrinopathy?
Classically, diabetes mellitus
However, this condition has rarely been reported in patients without diabetes.
Which hormone is responsible for converting angiotensinogen to angiotensin I, and where is it made?
Renin; made in the renal juxtaglomerular cells
What are the layers of the adrenal gland (from superficial to deep), and what do they each primarily produce?
- Glomerulosa: mineralocorticoids (“salt”)
- Fasciculata: glucocorticoids (“sugar”)
- Reticularis: androgens (“sex”)
Other memory helper: zones from outermost to innermost – glomerulosa, fasciculata, reticularis (GFR, like glomerular filtration rate).
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