This article is sponsored content brought to you by Dechra Veterinary Products.
Vetoryl® (trilostane) is the only veterinary registered treatment for Cushing’s Syndrome. Vetoryl® acts by reversibly inhibiting 3-ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, an enzyme involved in the conversion of cholesterol to cortisol. By blocking this enzyme, cortisol production is reduced and the clinical signs of Cushing’s Syndrome are controlled.
The registered starting dose of Vetoryl® is 2mg/kg once daily, adjusting the dose as required, and considering twice daily dosing if symptoms are not controlled on once daily.
Dechra recommends starting dogs with the comorbidities of diabetes mellitus and Cushing’s Syndrome on 1mg/kg twice daily, such that their cortisol levels will be similar when each of their twice daily insulin injections are given.
The addition of the 5mg capsule to the existing range of 10mg, 30mg and 60mg provides treatment solutions for all dogs.
There will now be the option of treating very small patients with an appropriately sized capsule. Dogs around the 5kg mark who require twice daily dosing can now have 5mg given twice daily. Dogs requiring larger amounts of Vetoryl given twice daily, such as 30mg per day, can now have even amounts at each dosing point, as opposed to having to have 10mg in the morning and 20mg in the afternoon. Dogs who require doses in between the original capsule sizes can now have that appropriate dose.
Having the 5mg Vetoryl available will be of definite benefit to my patients who require small doses or smaller dose increments – Vetoryl is the medical treatment of choice for patients with Cushing’s Syndrome, delivering a reliable amount of trilostane every time.
Dr Amy Lam – SASH Pituitary Centre.
The practices of “every second day” dosing with 10mg capsules for small dogs and/or the compounding of trilostane to achieve a certain dose is no longer required.
Treatment goals
The goal of treatment for Cushing’s Syndrome is to resolve clinical signs and improve quality of life, while avoiding hypocortislaemia.
Dr Amy Lam (BVSc (Hon I), GradCertVetStud, MANZCVS, MRCVS, FANZCVS) of SASH’s Pituitary Centre, recommends monitoring patients on Vetoryl every 3 months, with an assessment of their clinical status, a quality of life assessment, and an ACTH Stimulation Test.
The validated CushQOL quality of life measurement was developed in conjunction with the Royal Veterinary College in the UK and is available at dechra.com.au
Dose adjustments can then be made as necessary, such that a tailored dosing regimen is found for each individual dog. Lifelong monitoring is required to ensure that patient remains clinically well and the goals of treatment are met.
For more information on Vetoryl, or for specific case advice on your patients with Cushing’s Syndrome, please visit www.dechra.com.au. You can also come and see the Dechra team at the annual AVA conference!
