This work was performed at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA.
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The Effects of Illness on Urinary Catecholamines and their Metabolites in Dogs
Article first published online: 14 SEP 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2010.0595.x
Copyright © 2010 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Issue
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Volume 24, Issue 6, pages 1329–1336, November/December 2010
Additional Information
How to Cite
Cameron, K.N., Monroe, W.E., Panciera, D.L. and Magnin-Bissel, G.C. (2010), The Effects of Illness on Urinary Catecholamines and their Metabolites in Dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 24: 1329–1336. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2010.0595.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 3 NOV 2010
- Article first published online: 14 SEP 2010
- Submitted April 21, 2010; Revised July 12, 2010; Accepted July 28, 2010.
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Epinephrine;
- Metanephrine;
- Norepinephrine;
- Normetanephrine
Background: Urinary catecholamines and metanephrines have been proposed as a diagnostic tool for identifying canine pheochromocytomas, but the effects of critical illness on urine concentrations of catecholamines and metanephrines currently are unknown.
Objectives: To examine the effects of illness on urine concentrations of catecholamines and metanephrines in dogs.
Animals: Twenty-five critically ill dogs and 25 healthy age- and sex-matched control dogs.
Methods: Prospective observational study. Urine was collected from healthy and critically ill dogs, and urine concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, metanephrine, and normetanephrine were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Urinary catecholamine and metanephrine : creatinine ratios were calculated and compared between groups.
Results: Urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine, metanephrine, and normetanephrine : creatinine ratios were higher in critically ill dogs when compared with a healthy control population (P= .0009, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, and P < 0.0001, respectively).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Illness has a significant impact on urinary catecholamines and their metabolites in dogs. Further investigation of catecholamine and metanephrine concentrations in dogs with pheochromocytomas is warranted to fully evaluate this test as a diagnostic tool; however, the findings of this study suggest that the results may be difficult to interpret in dogs with concurrent illness.