ACTH Stimulation Testing
To run an ACTH stim using Cortrosyn, collect a resting cortisol sample, then inject 5 ug/kg Cortrosyn IV, then 1 hour later collect the post-ACTH cortisol sample (and submit both to a commercial lab).
The concentration of Cortrosyn is 250 ug/mL after reconstituting with 1mL of 0.9% NaCl.
To freeze the leftover reconstituted solution, split it into 50 ug aliquots, each in a separate plastic syringe. If you put the syringes into the ‘way back’ part of the freezer, they’ll remain potent for 6 months.
To thaw a syringe, tuck it under your arm for a few minutes (don’t run it under hot water)…
Once you thaw it, you can’t refreeze it…so use up the whole syringeful. It’s fine to give a dog MORE than the 5 ug/kg, just don’t give less…for example if you need 75 ug for a particular dog, inject 2 of the 50 ug syringes (100 ug)….