Free plasma metanephrines – a novel diagnostic approach for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in dogs

Metanephrine and normetanephrine are catecholamine metabolites produced by the cells of the adrenal medulla and detection of an increased plasma metanephrine concentration is the biochemical test of choice for diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in human medicine.

The Royal Veterinary College is investigating whether an increased plasma metanephrine concentration can be used to identify pheochromocytomas in dogs. We hope this will provide a useful indicator for pheochromocytomas, which are otherwise challenging to diagnose and our preliminary data suggests that plasma metanephrine concentrations increase in affected dogs.

EDTA plasma samples are being submitted for metanephrine measurement by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and we also plan to validate a radioimmunoassay for metanephrine measurement.

We would welcome EDTA plasma samples from dogs undergoing investigation of adrenal masses, especially if pheochromocytoma is strongly suspected. The full cost of this test will be covered by the project grant and HPLC results are usually available within 7 days.

For further information or to discuss submitting a sample for analysis, please contact:

Ruth Gostelow BVetMed (Hons) MRCVS

Senior Clinical Training Scholar in Small Animal Internal Medicine

Email: rgostelow@rvc.ac.uk

Or call the RVC Clinical Investigations Centre on 01707 666605

Fellow investigator: Harriet Syme BSc BVetMed PhD MRCVS D-ACVIM D-ECVIM

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