Endocrinology

The UCDVH provides an in-house Endocrine Service, with twice weekly ( Monday & Wednesdays ) Cortisol, Total T4 and cTSH measurements.  These results are interpreted individually by specialist staff members, under the supervision of Professor Carmel Mooney, RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Medicine (Endocrinology).  Emergency samples can be accommodated by contacting the Laboratory.

Cortisol, thyroxine, and canine thyroid stimulating hormone (cTSH) are the most frequently requested hormone assays in small animal practice.  They are primarily used in the investigations of feline hyperthyroidism, canine hypothyroidism, hypoadrenocorticism and hyperadrenocorticism.  They also play a major role in assessing the adequacy or otherwise of therapeutic intervention.  A progesterone assay for bitches is now also available in the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories.  It is most commonly indicated for predicting the timing of ovulation to optimise effectiveness of mating. Multiple blood samples are required, starting once the bitch has started bleeding, marking the start of the pro-oestrus phase of the cycle. Progesterone concentrations cannot be used for determination of pregnancy but are useful when there is a suspicion of ovarian remnant syndrome.   

Accurate interpretation of hormone results relies more on knowledge of the specific characteristics of the assay and the individual animal from which the sample has been taken, than on the actual assay reading achieved.  Each individual result generated by the Laboratory is specifically interpreted by an accredited Specialist in Endocrinology or Reproduction.

Further information on Endocrinology Protocols and the submission of samples can be found in the UCD Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory 2023 Catalogue

All endocrinology samples should be addressed as follows:

Endocrinology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4

Telephone: (01) 716 6137 / (01) 716 6161

Email: ucdvetlab@ucd.ie