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Adrenal toxicity in dogs and cats as a contributing cause of hormonal and immune destabilization
Author(s) -
Plechner Alfred J.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of applied toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.784
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1099-1263
pISSN - 0260-437X
DOI - 10.1002/jat.947
Subject(s) - endocrine system , hormone , immune system , medicine , adrenal cortex , toxicity , physiology , immunology
The adrenal cortex is regarded as the organ most vulnerable to toxicity within the endocrine system. The production of cortisol, among the many steroidal hormones produced by the cortex, may suffer as a result. In a veterinary clinical practice, household dogs and cats with a wide variety of diseases ranging from allergies to cancer commonly have a cortisol deciency or defect that triggers endocrine imbalances and immune system destabilization. The causes of decient cortisol are linked primarily to genetics but also to acquired adrenal damage likely stemming from environmental toxins. An innovative blood test to determine relevant endocrine–immune imbalances in pets and a treatment method based on low‐dosage steroidal medication, as a form of cortisol replacement therapy, are described. Despite a prevailing reluctance to use steroidal medications long term because of the fear of side effects, extended and even life‐time usage of these medications at low, physiologic dosages has been applied successfully for decades and appears to be gaining wider acceptance. The validity of a combined testing and treatment method for humans based on the veterinary model deserves investigation as a tool with which to identify and correct toxic damage to adrenal function. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.