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Abstract Background The relationship between collapse and a diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism is not well understood in dogs. Hypothesis To assess the prevalence of episodes of collapse in dogs screened for hypoadrenocorticism, and to assess the prevalence of confirmed hypoadrenocorticism in dogs presenting with reported collapse. Animals Seventy‐three client‐owned dogs with resting cortisol concentrations were measured and presented to a University teaching hospital for collapse. Methods Retrospective review of medical records of dogs at a single center. Results The prevalence of episodes of collapse in dogs that had a resting cortisol measurement was 73/856 (8.5%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 6.7%‐10.6%). Resting cortisol concentration was 2 μg/dL (>55 nmol/L). The most common diagnosis was vasovagal syncope (10/73), followed by sick sinus syndrome and third‐degree atrioventricular block (2/73). The final diagnosis was unknown in 24/73 dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Hypoadrenocorticism was the final diagnosis in 1 of 73 dogs presented to a teaching hospital either in a collapsed state or with a previous history of episodes of collapse. No dog presenting as cardiovascularly stable for intermittent collapse was found to have hypoadrenocorticism.

Abstract Background Resting cortisol concentrations are routinely measured in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal signs to rule out hypoadrenocorticism based on a concentration >2 μg/dL (>55 nmol/L). Hypothesis/Objectives To assess the cross‐sectional prevalence of hypoadrenocorticism in a group of dogs with chronic gastrointestinal signs presented to a referral internal medicine service. Animals Two‐hundred and eighty‐two client‐owned dogs with chronic gastrointestinal signs and with resting cortisol concentration testing performed. Methods Retrospective review of medical records (final diagnosis, resting cortisol concentration, and adenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH] stimulation test results) of a referral population of dogs between May 2013 and September 2017. Results Resting cortisol concentration was 2 μg/dL (>55 nmol/L). Overall, the most common diagnosis was chronic primary inflammatory enteropathy (176/282, 62.4%), followed by extragastrointestinal neoplasia (17/282, 6%), protein‐losing enteropathy, pancreatitis and megaesophagus (10/282, 3.5% each). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Although dogs with hypoadrenocorticism can present with chronic gastrointestinal signs, it was the final diagnosis in only 1 of 282 dogs presenting to a referral internal medicine service for signs of chronic enteropathy. Repeated resting cortisol concentration may be considered as a test to try and exclude hypoadrenocorticism.