The rapid turn around of assay results for our clients enables you to provide the best health care for your patients. For example, we receive serum samples for canine progesterone assays from many clinics throughout North America. Concentrations are reported to the veterinarian the same afternoon samples are received; allowing for sufficient time to order semen. BET Laboratories continues to provide endocrine testing that is accurate and rapid at a competitive price supported by consultation that is always available at no cost to our clients. In all cases, a thorough clinical history and physical examination should ultimately be used to suggest endocrine testing, and to eventually diagnose any abnormalities. The case history will suggest a specific assay or assays that will assist in confirming the diagnosis.
Normal Ranges For Small Animals
| HORMONE | CANINE | FELINE |
|---|---|---|
| Total T4 | 15.0 – 30.0 ng/mL | 15.0 – 40.0 ng/mL |
| Total T3 | 1.0 – 2.0 ng/mL | 0.3 – 0.9 ng/mL |
| Cortisol | 5 - 60.0 ng/mL | 10.0 – 30.0 ng/mL |
| Cortisol post-ACTH | 70.0 – 160.0 ng/mL | 50.0 – 100.0 ng/mL |
| Insulin | 5.0 – 25.0 µIU/mL | 2.0 – 10.0 µIU/mL |
| ACTH | 10.0 – 45.0 pg/mL | 10.0 – 45.0 pq/mL |
| Testosterone | Intact males: 1000 – 7000 pg/mL Females: < 50.0 pg/mL | Intact males: 1000 – 6000 pg/mL Females: < 50.0 pg/mL |
| Total Estrogens | Proestrus: > 15.0 pg/mL Late estrus: > 50.0 pg/mL Estrus: 15.0 – 50.0 pg/mL Pregnant: < 50.0 pg/mL Spayed: < 50.0 pg/mL Male: < 50.0 pg/mL | Queens: 40.0 – 90.0 pg/mL |
| Progesterone | Anestrus: < 1.0 ng/mL Proestrus: < 1.0 ng/mL Spayed: < 1.0 ng/mL Ovulatory: 4.0 – 10.0 ng/mL Estrus: 0 – 20.0 ng/mL Diestrus: 10.0 – 50.0 ng/mL Pregnant: 10.0 – 50.0 ng/mL - 4 ng/mL @ 58 days Male: < 0.4 ng/mL | Anestrus: < 1.0 ng/mL Estrus: < 1.0 ng/mL Diestrus: 5.0 – 15.0 ng/mL Pregnant: 5.0 – 15.0 ng/mL |
| LH | 0.5 - 5.0 ng/mL | 0.5 – 5.0 ng/mL |
| FSH | 0.5 – 15 ng/mL | 0.5 – 15 ng/mL |
Anovulatory Bitch
- Initially test Total T4 and Progesterone.
- If Progesterone is less than 4.0 ng/mL, a series of samples need to be drawn once a week, for three weeks.
- Vaginal swabs should also be examined for presence of cornified cells.
- If Progesterone is greater than 4.0 ng/mL, then she has in fact ovulated and may be a “hidden estrus” case.
- If the Total T4 is less than 15 ng/mL, treatment for hypothyroidism may be beneficial.
Ovarian Remnant Syndrome - hCG Stimulation
- Initially test Total T4 and Progesterone.
- If Progesterone is less than 4.0 ng/mL, a series of samples need to be drawn once a week, for three weeks.
- Vaginal swabs should also be examined for presence of cornified cells.
- If Progesterone is greater than 4.0 ng/mL, then she has in fact ovulated and may be a “hidden estrus” case.
- If the Total T4 is less than 15 ng/mL, treatment for hypothyroidism may be beneficial.
HCG STIMULATION TEST
| SAMPLES | HORMONES TO ASSAY | |
|---|---|---|
| BASELINE | Progesterone, Total Estrogens | |
| Administer 200 IU hCG, IM | ||
| 90 Minutes Post Injection | Total Estrogens |
Cryptorchid
A single random sample assaying Testosterone has very little value due to wide fluctuations. Therefore the recommended protocol to analyze testicular production of Testosterone involves a stimulation utilizing GnRH or hCG.
CANINE CRYPTORCHID
| SAMPLE TIME | HORMONES TO ASSAY | |
|---|---|---|
| BASELINE | Testosterone | |
| Administer 1000 IU hCG, IM | Testosterone 1 hr & 2 hours Post Injection | |
| or | ||
| Administer 100 ug GnRH, IM | Testosterone 2 hr & 4 hours Post Injection |
FELINE CRYPTORCHID
| SAMPLE TIME | HORMONES TO ASSAY | |
|---|---|---|
| BASELINE | Testosterone | |
| Administer 250 - 500 hCG, IM | Testosterone 1 hr & 2 hours Post Injection |
Hypothyroidism
Canine: Test Total T4; That’s it!
FELINE T3 SUPPRESSION TEST - THIS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. T3 TESTING IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AT BET LAB.
| SAMPLE TIME | HORMONES TO ASSAY | |
|---|---|---|
| BASELINE | Total T4 | |
| Day 1 - Administer T3 25 mg TID | ||
| Day 2 - Administer T3 25 mg TID | ||
| Day 3 - Administer T3 25 mg TID | ||
| 2 HOURS POST 3RD INJECTION | Total T4 | |
| 4 HOURS POST 3RD INJECTION | Total T4 |
Alopecia
Initially test Total T4, Progesterone, Total Estrogen and Testosterone. If all are within the normal range, then perform a Cushing’s screen (see NEXT protocols – CANINE HYPERADRENOCORTICISM).
Canine Hyperadrenocorticism
CANINE ACTH STIMULATION 1A
| SAMPLE TIME | HORMONES TO ASSAY | |
|---|---|---|
| BASELINE | Cortisol | |
| Administer Cortisol - 40 | ||
| (porcine aqueous gelatin ACTH) 2.2 IU/KG, IM | ||
| 2 HOURS POST INJECTION | Cortisol |
CANINE ACTH STIMULATION 1B
| SAMPLE TIME | HORMONES TO ASSAY | |
|---|---|---|
| BASELINE | Cortisol | |
| Administer Cortrosyn - 40 | ||
| (synthetic ACTH) 0.25 mg, IM | ||
| 1 HOUR POST INJECTION | Cortisol |
- Normal baseline Cortisol level: 5 – 60 ng/mL
- Normal Cortisol level post ACTH: 60-170 ng/mL
- Borderline cortisol level post ACTH: 170-220 ng/mL
- Consistent with Cushing’s disease diagnosis: 220 ng/mL
DEXAMETHASONE SUPPRESSION 2A
| SAMPLE TIME | HORMONES TO ASSAY | |
|---|---|---|
| BASELINE | Cortisol | |
| Administer Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate 0.01 mg/kg, IV | ||
| 4 HOUR POST INJECTION | Cortisol | |
| 8 HOUR POST INJECTION | Cortisol |
DEXAMETHASONE SUPPRESSION 2B
| SAMPLE TIME | HORMONES TO ASSAY | |
|---|---|---|
| BASELINE | Cortisol | |
| Administer Dexamethasone in Polyethylene Glycol 0.01 mg/kg, IV | ||
| 4 HOUR POST INJECTION | Cortisol | |
| 8 HOUR POST INJECTION | Cortisol |
- Normal baseline Cortisol level: 5 – 60 ng/mL
- Normal Cortisol level post ACTH: < 10 ng/mL ~ Borderline cortisol level post ACTH: >10 – 14 ng/mL
- Consistent with Cushing’s disease diagnosis: 14 ng/mL
Endogenous ACTH Levels
- Sample PLASMA between 8-9 AM after overnight hospitalization.
- Collect PLASMA in a CHILLED, silicone-coated EDTA tube, CENTRIFUGE, transfer to a PLASTIC VIAL, and then FREEZE.
- Send sample OVERNIGHT, FROZEN on dry ice.
- Normal Endogenous ACTH level: 10 – 45 pg/mL
- Pituitary dependent hyperadrenocorticism: < 45 pg/mL
- Adrenocortical tumor hyperadrenocorticism: 10 pg/mL
Canine Progesterone Guide
