What is a DOCP injection?

What is a DOCP injection?

Addison’s disease occurs when the body cannot produce adequate amounts of certain hormones, including a hormone called cortisol. Desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) is an injectable medication used to help manage Addison’s disease.

How quickly does DOCP work?

DOCP has a rapid onset of action and is effective within a few hours of injection, so no overlap is necessary when transitioning to DOCP from fludrocortisone. DOCP is administered at a starting dose of 2.2 mg/kg IM or subcutaneous (SC) every 25 days initially (Melián and Peterson, 1996).

How much Percorten does my dog need?

**The initial starting dose of Percorten-V is 1 mg/lb intramuscular injection every 25 days. For most dogs, a dose range of 0.75 mg/lb to 1.0 mg/lb (1.65 mg/kg to 2.2 mg/kg) given every 21 to 30 days is effective.

Does prednisone affect ACTH stimulation test in dogs?

Dogs with atypical primary hypoadrenocorticism (10% of dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism) will require lifelong glucocorticoid supplementation and will likely require mineralocorticoid supplementation in the following days to weeks to years (1).

Should I put my dog down with Addison’s disease?

In the advanced stages of the disease, an animal may collapse completely, suffering from heart problems caused by elevated levels of potassium in the blood. The advanced stages of this disease should be considered an emergency and veterinary care should be given immediately.

How long can a dog live with Addison’s disease?

Fortunately, dogs usually feel better within several days of treatment, and most symptoms of Addison’s disease are gone within two to four weeks. The majority of patients have a good prognosis and once they’ve been stabilized with the appropriate medications, most dogs resume normal lives.

What does prednisone do for dogs with Addison’s?

One component of therapy is to replace the cortisol deficiency with an oral steroid (prednisone). This is easy to do and inexpensive. It is equally critical to replace the aldosterone deficiency as this hormone helps maintain normal electrolyte concentrations, fluid balance, and acid-base status.

How much prednisone do I give a dog with Addison’s disease?

The physiological dose of prednisone is 0.1–0.25 mg/kg/d, although some dogs (particularly larger breeds) do well on 0.05 mg/kg/d. Following diagnosis, the patient is usually sent home on a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day and decreased over the following several weeks.

Is Percorten the same as DOCP?

DOCP FORMULATIONS They differ in their use of preservative and surfactant. Percorten-V is labeled for intramuscular injection but is often given subcutaneously in clinical practice.

Is Percorten a steroid?

Percorten-V is a corticosteroid used to treat conditions, such as Addison’s disease, in which the body does not produce enough of its own steroids. Percorten-V is available as a 4 ml multi-dose vial containing 25 mg/ml and is administered IM (intramuscularly).

How do you reduce cortisol in dogs?

Control of the clinical signs of Cushing’s Disease may be managed with the following medications: trilostane (vetoryl) or mitotane. Trilostane blocks the production of cortisol in the adrenal glands resulting in less circulating cortisol and a decrease in clinical signs.

How do I prepare my dog for ACTH stimulation test?

Dogs must NOT be fasted prior to the ACTH stimulation test; trilostane must be administered with a meal prior to testing. Current Dechra recommendations support beginning the ACTH test at 4-6 hours post pill. Some patients may have a maximum effect at 3 hours post pill.