Updated Book on Canine and Feline Endocrinology Now Available

BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Endocrinology

Edited by:

Carmel T. Mooney

Mark E. Peterson

Building on the success of previous editions, the editors have sought to combine the best of the old with the new in this updated Fourth Edition of the BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Endocrinology.

Since publication of the last edition in 2004, there have been many significant advances in clinical endocrinology of companion animals. Several endocrine disorders, such as feline acromegaly and hyperaldosteronism, have risen in importance. The use of novel insulins in diabetic cats and dogs, as well as a wide range of new therapies, have emerged for routine use and are discussed in detail in this Manual. In addition, the genetic risks associated with many endocrine disorders have not been elucidated.

This new edition has been comprehensively updated, while retaining the emphasis on the common problems encountered in investigating and treating endocrine diseases. The Manual is divided into sections covering each endocrine gland and the major and minor endocrine disorders of each species. A separate section deals with relevant presenting complaints in a problem oriented manner.

The fourth edition of this manual provides a ready source of practical information for the practicing veterinarian and will also be useful for students, technicians, and graduates embarking on further specialization.

Click on the link to read a sample chapter from this book, on "Investigation of unstable feline diabetes mellitus."


Table of Contents:

Part 1: Introduction

• Hormone assays and collection of samples
• Principles of interpreting endocrine test results  

Part 2: The Pituitary Gland

• Disorders of vasopressin production
• Pituitary dwarfism
• Acromegaly

Part 3: The Parathyroid Gland

• Hyperparathyroidism
• Hypoparathyroidism

Part 4: The Thyroid Gland

• Canine hypothyroidism
• Canine hyperthyroidism
• Feline hyperthyroidism
• Feline hypothyroidism

Part 5: The Pancreas 

• Canine diabetes mellitus
• Feline diabetes mellitus
• Insulinoma and other gastrointestinal tract tumours 

Part 6: The Adrenal Gland

• Canine hypoadrenocorticism
• Canine hyperadrenocorticism 
• Feline hyperadrenocorticism 
• Feline hypoadrenocorticism 
• Feline hyperaldosteronism

Part 7: Presenting Complaints and Their Investigation

• Investigation of polyuria and polydipsia
• Investigation of hypercalcaemia and hypocalcaemia
• Investigation of unstable canine diabetes mellitus
• Investigation of unstable feline diabetes mellitus
• Ketoacidosis
• Investigation of hypoglycaemia
• Investigation of symmetrical alopecia in dogs
• Investigation of adrenal masses
• Investigation of hyperlipidaemia
• Index

International Contributors:

Amanda K. Boag, UK; Rosario Cerundolo, UK; Dennis J. Chew, USA; David B. Church, UK; Sylvie Daminet, Belgium; Lucy J. Davison, UK; Steve Dodkin, UK; Peter A. Graham, UK; Danièlle Gunn-Moore, UK; Andrea M. Harvey, UK; Michael E. Herrtage, UK; Peter P. Kintzer, USA; Hans S. Kooistra, The Netherlands; Carlos Melian, Spain; Carmel T. Mooney, Republic of Ireland; Raymond F. Nachreiner, USA; Rhett Nichols, USA; Stijn J.M. Niessen, UK; Kostas Papasouliotis, UK; Mark E. Peterson, USA; Ian K. Ramsey, UK; Jacquie Rand, Australia; Nicki Reed, UK; Kent R. Refsal, USA; Patricia A. Schenck, USA; Johan P. Schoeman, South Africa; Robert E. Shiel, Australia; Barbara J. Skelly, UK; Annemarie M.W.Y. Voorbij, The Netherlands.

Purchase the Fourth Edition of the BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Endocrinology:

• Amazon
• BSAVA website

An Overview of Endocrine Disease in Dogs and Cats

Either “Too Much” or “Not Enough” of a Hormone

Endocrine diseases stem from imbalances in hormone levels. Hormone imbalances can affect your pet’s health in many ways.  Although some endocrine disorders are not life threatening, many are fatal if not diagnosed and treated.

Diseases can develop because an endocrine gland itself is faulty or because the control of that gland is faulty (i.e., a problem in the pituitary can harm the adrenal glands).  Endocrine diseases develop when the body produces too much hormone (hyper- diseases) or too little hormone (hypo- diseases).

A tumor or other abnormal tissue in an endocrine gland often causes it to produce too much hormone. Hormone excess disorders often begin with the prefix “hyper.” For example, in hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone.

Hormone excess (“Hyper”) disorders in dogs and cats

• Pituitary tumors (most commonly, secrete too much growth hormone or ACTH)
  
• Hyperthyroidism (secrete too much thyroid hormone)
  
• Hypercalcemia (circulating calcium too high)
  
• Hyperparathyroidism (secrete too much parathyroid hormone)
  
• Pancreatic insulin-secreting tumor, usually called insulinoma (secrete too much insulin)
  
• Hyperadrenocorticism, usually called Cushing’s syndrome (secrete too much cortisol)
  
• Hyperaldosteronism, usually called Conn’s syndrome (secrete too much aldosterone)
  
• Pheochromocytoma (secrete too much adrenaline)
  
• Hypertension (blood pressure too high)

When an endocrine gland is destroyed, removed, or just stops working, not enough hormone is produced. Hormone deficiency disorders often begin with the prefix “hypo.” For example, in hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone.

Hormone deficiency (“Hypo”) disorders in dogs and cats

• Pituitary dwarfism (secrete too little growth hormone in young animals)
  
• Diabetes insipidus (secrete too little antidiuretic hormone or vasspressin)
  
• Hypothyroidism (secrete too little thyroid hormone)
  
• Hypocalcemia (circulating calcium too low)
  
• Hypoparathyroidism (secrete too little parathyroid hormone)
  
• Diabetes mellitus (secrete too little insulin)
  
• Hypoadrenocorticism, usually called Addison’s disease (too little cortisol and aldosterone secreted)
  
• Hypotension (blood pressure too low)

Treating Endocrine Disease Again, Based on Either “Too Much” or “Not Enough” of a Hormone

Endocrine diseases caused by too much of a hormone can be treated surgically (tumor removal), with radiotherapy (such as the use of radioactive iodine to destroy an overactive thyroid gland), or with medications used to block the tumor from over-secreting the hormone.

One can normally treat hormone deficiency syndromes simply by supplementing the missing hormone.  For example, one can treat diabetes mellitus by giving insulin injections. Steroid and thyroid hormone replacements can usually be given orally.  Dogs and cats taking hormone replacement therapy must be monitored for side effects and periodically retested to make sure the drug dosage is correct. In some cases, such as after an endocrine tumor is surgically removed, the remaining gland will recover and hormone replacement will no longer be needed.
Unfortunately, most of these treatments are life-long.