2023 AAHA Selected Endocrinopathies of Dogs and Cats Guidelines
Guidelines at a Glance
Are your endocrine cases keeping you up at night?
The AAHA Selected Endocrinopathies of Dogs and Cats Guidelines simplify veterinary clinical practice by providing quick reference tools for a step-by-step process to diagnose and treat common endocrine diseases.
What Diseases are Covered?
For dogs, the guidelines provide evidence-directed diagnosis and treatment plans for these common diseases:
- Hypothyroidism
- Hypercortisolism (Cushing’s syndrome)
- Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease)
For cats, in addition to hyperthyroidism, one of the most common feline endocrine diseases, some less common endocrinopathies are also covered:
- Hyperaldosteronism
- Hypothyroidism
- Hypercortisolism
A Team-Based Approach:
Become an advocate for your endocrine patients by taking a team approach that involves the client as well. Let clients know your team is here to support them and their pets with these tips from the guidelines:
- Employ low-stress handling strategies for veterinary visits
- Encourage the use of questionnaires for initial visits and follow-ups
- Develop telephone triage skills and resources for client service representatives to schedule appointments for ill patients and those who require monitoring
- Give clients time to process information and let them gather their thoughts
Download PDF of the Guidelines
Download the Guidelines at a Glance
Meet Minnie!
Minnie is our mascot for the 2023 AAHA Selected Endocrinopathies Guidelines, designed by artist Lili Chin.
Watch this summary of the 2023 AAHA Selected Endocrinopathies Guidelines
Abstract
Canine and feline endocrinopathies reflect an endocrine gland disease or dysfunction with resulting hormonal abnormalities that can variably affect the patient’s wellbeing, quality of life, and life expectancy. These guidelines provide consensus recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of four canine and feline endocrinopathies commonly encountered in clinical practice: canine hypothyroidism, canine hypercortisolism (Cushing’s syndrome), canine hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease), and feline hyperthyroidism. To aid the general practitioner in navigating these common diseases, a stepwise diagnosis and treatment algorithm and relevant background information is provided for managing each of these diseases. The guidelines also describe, in lesser detail, the diagnosis and treatment of three relatively less common endocrinopathies of cats: feline hyperaldosteronism, feline hypothyroidism, and feline hyperadrenocorticism. Additionally, the guidelines present tips on effective veterinary team utilization and client communication when discussing endocrine cases. (J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2023; 59:—. DOI 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7368)
Key Resources (PDFs)
- TABLE 1
Summary of Categorical Approach to Diagnosing Suspected Canine Hypothyroidism - TABLE 2
Clinicopathologic Findings That Can Occur with Cushing’s Syndrome - TABLE 3
Clinical Signs Associated with Naturally Occurring Cushing’s Syndrome - TABLE 4
Summary of Categorical Approach to Diagnosing Suspected Canine Hypercortisolism (Cushing’s Syndrome) - TABLE 5
Diseases with a Similar Clinical Presentation to Hypoadrenocorticism - TABLE 6
Conditions That Biochemically Resemble Hypoadrenocorticism (Pseudo-Addisonian Conditions)
- TABLE 7
Laboratory Changes That Can Occur with Hypoadrenocorticism - TABLE 8
Summary of Categorical Approach to Diagnosing Suspected Canine Hypoadrenocorticism - TABLE 9
Summary of Categorical Approach to Diagnosing Suspected Feline Hyperthyroidism - TABLE 10
Key Factors in Managing Feline Primary Hyperaldosteronism - TABLE 11
Clinical Signs of Feline Hypothyroidism - FIGURE 1
Decision Tree for Feline Hypothyroidism Diagnosis and Treatment.
The 2023 AAHA Selected Endocrinopathies of Dogs and Cats Guidelines are generously supported by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, IDEXX, Merck, Zoetis, and Zomedica.
