THE MAINTENANCE OF THE ADRENALECTOMIZED DOG FOR PROLONGED PERIODS WITHOUT RECOURSE TO HORMONAL THERAPY*

Abstract

A procedure is descr. for maintaining the bilaterally adrenalectomized dog alive in good condition for prolonged periods without recourse to the sue of hormones or special diets pre- or post-operatively. The method consists of injecting intraperitoneally once or twice daily a soln. containing the inorganic constituents of the blood in the concn. in which they are normally present in plasma. By this simple procedure the water and electrolyte pattern of the blood is maintained relatively normal thus preventing the appearance of those symptoms of acute adrenal cortical insufficiency which are secondary to Na depletion and oligemia. The use of DCA, cortisone, and a combination of these 2 drugs as replacement therapy in the adrenalectomized dog were also studied.