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Vetdle Archive

Archive Case #94: Canine Hyperadrenocorticism

Dog veterinary case - Medium - June 5, 2026

Clinical Clues

  1. An older dog is presented for increased drinking, frequent urination, and constant panting.
  2. The owner says the appetite has become excessive over the past several months.
  3. On examination the abdomen is pendulous and muscle mass is reduced over the limbs.
  4. The coat is thin and the skin bruises easily.
  5. Bloodwork shows a marked increase in alkaline phosphatase activity.
  6. Chronic excess cortisol production commonly causes this constellation of metabolic and skin changes in dogs.

Diagnosis

Canine Hyperadrenocorticism

This case is most consistent with Canine Hyperadrenocorticism because the dog has PU PD, polyphagia, panting, a pot-bellied appearance, and typical skin changes. The most important clues are the chronic course and elevated alkaline phosphatase, which make a simple urinary disorder less likely.

Learning review

Review the case evidence

Use the paired clues to explain how the evidence in this dog case supports the provided diagnosis, Canine Hyperadrenocorticism, then compare your reasoning with the case explanation.

Evidence checkpoints

Clues 1-2

  1. Clue 1: An older dog is presented for increased drinking, frequent urination, and constant panting.
  2. Clue 2: The owner says the appetite has become excessive over the past several months.

Clues 3-4

  1. Clue 3: On examination the abdomen is pendulous and muscle mass is reduced over the limbs.
  2. Clue 4: The coat is thin and the skin bruises easily.

Clues 5-6

  1. Clue 5: Bloodwork shows a marked increase in alkaline phosphatase activity.
  2. Clue 6: Chronic excess cortisol production commonly causes this constellation of metabolic and skin changes in dogs.

Self-review prompts

  1. After clues 1-2, what evidence from this dog case shaped your initial interpretation?
  2. When you compare clues 3-4 with clues 1-2, what changed in your reasoning about Canine Hyperadrenocorticism?
  3. How do clues 5-6 align with the case explanation for Canine Hyperadrenocorticism?

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.