Thyroid storm signs in a dog with an ectopic thyroid tumour

Authors: Almendros A, Giuliano A, Kreissler J
Publication: Australian Veterinary Practitioner, Volume 51, Issue 4, pp 242-249, Dec 2021
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

Animal type: Dog
Subject Terms: Clinical examination, Oncology, Thyroid
Article class: Clinical Report

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Abstract:

A 9-year-old Border collie presented for progressive weight loss, episodic panting and severe polyuria and polydipsia. Increased liver enzymes and isosthenuria along with markedly increased total thyroxine concentration was suggestive of thyroid pathology. Further investigation, including a computed tomography and a thyroid hormone panel, confirmed a functional ectopic thyroid tumour. Surgery was not performed due to the invasive nature of the mass. Medical treatment resulted in poor control of the symptoms and sustained thyrotoxicosis lead to hyperthermia, gastroenteritis, tachycardia, hypertension and non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, which was suggestive of a thyrotoxic storm. The dog later developed diabetes mellitus and worsening of the thyrotoxicosis that lead to deterioration and euthanasia two months after initial diagnosis.

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the second report of the clinical signs of thyrotoxic storm in a dog with a thyroid hormone producing tumour and the first time non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema and diabetes mellitus have been observed in association with it in a companion animal.

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