The price of cortrosyn has recently increased about four-fold. Rather than administering the whole vial for an ACTH stimulation test, a 5 µg/kg dose of cortrosyn can be used for dogs. When using this dose, the cortrosyn should be given IV. Reconstituted cortrosyn can be stored at refrigeration temperature for two months, or even longer if frozen.

A recently conducted, randomized clinical trial in 40 cats with newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism showed that once daily administration of methimazole is not as effective as twice daily administration, and cannot be recommended for routine initial treatment of feline hyperthyroidism. Reference: Trepanier et al., JAVMA 222:954-958, 2003.

Excellent quality percutaneous renal biopsy specimens can be obtained using 14-gauge double-spring activated biopsy needles and laparoscopy, whereas those obtained with 18-gauge ultrasound-guided biopsy needles have few glomeruli and often are crushed or fragmented. These findings parallel those reviewed for liver and intestinal tract biopsies in the February 2003 Antech News. Reference: Rawlings et. al., JAVMA 223:317-321, 2003.

Please centrifuge blood samples to obtain serum prior to submission, as this not only improves the quality of results (less hemolysis, etc.), but also facilitates faster turnaround times.