Effects of dexamethasone administration on serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity in healthy dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether administration of dexamethasone altered serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI) in healthy dogs. ANIMALS: 12 healthy dogs. PROCEDURE: Dexamethasone (0.25 mg/kg, p.o., q 24 h) was administered for 7 days. Serum TLI, alpha-amylase and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, and urea and creatinine concentrations were determined on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 of the study. RESULTS: Serum TLI and ALT activities were significantly increased, and serum alpha-amylase activity was significantly decreased after administration of dexamethasone for 7 days. However, values obtained on days 14 and 21 were not significantly different from baseline values. Dexamethasone administration was not associated with any significant changes in serum creatinine or urea concentrations. Serum TLI and alpha-amylase activities were significantly correlated prior to dexamethasone administration. Dogs did not develop clinical signs of pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dexamethasone administration was associated with an increase in serum TLI. However, values returned to baseline 7 days after dexamethasone administration was discontinued. Serum TLI may be falsely high in dogs that have been treated with dexamethasone in the week preceding analysis.