Concurrent hyperadrenocorticism and diabetes mellitus in dogs

Hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are two diseases that can occur concurrently in dogs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the coexistence of HAC and DM, and the risk factors involved that could contribute to the development of DM in dogs with HAC. A total of 235 dogs with HAC were studied and, according to their fasting glycemia, they were divided into three groups: < 5.6 mmol/L, between 5.6 and 10.08 mmol/L and > 10.08 mmol/L. The following parameters were evaluated: age, gender, cause of HAC, body condition, glycemia, total cholesterol, triglycerides, urinary cortisol:creatinin ratio (UCCR) and survival time. A 13.61% concurrence of HAC and DM was observed. Dogs with a fasting glycemia > 5.6 mmol/L, with dislipemia, with Pituitary-Dependent Hyperadrenocorticism, UCCR > 100 × 10− 6 and non-castrated females showed a higher risk of developing DM. The development of DM in dogs with HAC reduces the survival time.