OVERLAND PARK, Kan., May 19, 2026
Dechra has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved CosACTHen® (cosyntropin injection), the first and only FDA-approved cosyntropin product specifically indicated for use in canine patients. The landmark approval represents a major advancement in veterinary endocrinology and provides veterinarians with a dedicated diagnostic tool for evaluating adrenal function in dogs suffering from endocrine disorders such as Cushing’s Disease and Addison’s Disease.
The approval further strengthens Dechra’s growing leadership in companion animal specialty care and reinforces the company’s long-standing focus on veterinary endocrinology. Veterinary professionals have historically relied on compounded or human-labeled ACTH products for adrenal testing in dogs, making CosACTHen® the first FDA-approved canine-specific solution designed to improve diagnostic consistency and treatment monitoring.
FDA Approval Advances Veterinary Endocrine Diagnostics
CosACTHen® is specifically indicated for the evaluation of adrenal function in dogs and plays a critical role in ACTH stimulation testing, the primary diagnostic method used to confirm Addison’s Disease and monitor Cushing’s Disease. The product is supplied as a 0.25 mg/ml solution in single-use vials and is administered via intravenous or intramuscular injection.
Veterinary endocrinology experts believe the approval could significantly improve diagnostic confidence and treatment monitoring in canine endocrine medicine. Accurate adrenal testing is essential for confirming adrenal insufficiency and hyperadrenocorticism while helping veterinarians optimize long-term treatment protocols for affected dogs.
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According to Dechra, CosACTHen® is particularly valuable for monitoring dogs receiving Vetoryl® (trilostane) therapy, one of the most widely used treatments for canine Cushing’s Disease. The ACTH stimulation process measures baseline and post-stimulation cortisol levels, enabling veterinarians to assess adrenal gland responsiveness and treatment effectiveness.
Dr. Jill Stohs, Senior Director of Veterinary Professional Services and Medical Affairs at Dechra, stated that the product gives veterinarians increased confidence when performing endocrine diagnostics while also providing reassurance to pet owners managing complex chronic diseases in companion animals.
Growing Need for Advanced Companion Animal Endocrine Care
The FDA approval comes amid rising awareness and diagnosis of endocrine disorders in companion animals, particularly aging dogs. Cushing’s Disease and Addison’s Disease are among the most common endocrine conditions encountered in veterinary practice and can significantly impact quality of life if left untreated.
Cushing’s Disease occurs when the body produces excessive cortisol levels, while Addison’s Disease results from inadequate cortisol production. Symptoms may include lethargy, increased thirst, weight changes, gastrointestinal issues, weakness, and hormonal imbalance. Accurate diagnosis often requires advanced endocrine testing protocols such as ACTH stimulation testing.
Dechra reported that its veterinary support teams handled more than 1,200 endocrine-related case consultations specific to Cushing’s Disease during the previous reporting year, underscoring growing clinical demand for specialized diagnostic and treatment solutions in veterinary medicine.
The company emphasized that veterinary healthcare teams continue to seek more reliable and standardized endocrine diagnostic tools capable of supporting improved patient outcomes and long-term disease management.
Dechra Strengthens Leadership in Veterinary Specialty Medicine
The launch of CosACTHen® highlights Dechra’s broader strategy of expanding its veterinary specialty pharmaceutical portfolio across endocrinology, dermatology, pain management, anesthesia, and companion animal chronic disease care. Industry analysts view the FDA approval as strategically important because it strengthens Dechra’s position in the highly specialized veterinary pharmaceutical market.
The company also noted that veterinarians using CosACTHen® will have access to Dechra’s Veterinary Technical Services support network, including clinical consultation resources and endocrine management guidance.
As companion animal healthcare continues evolving toward more advanced specialty diagnostics and precision treatment approaches, the FDA approval of CosACTHen® reflects increasing innovation within the veterinary pharmaceutical sector and growing investment in disease-specific animal health solutions.
Source: Dechra press release
