Canine hypothyroidism: A review of aetiology and diagnosis

Authors: Mooney CT
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 59, Issue 3, pp 105-114, May 2011
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Companion animal, Dog
Subject Terms: Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Endocrine/autocrine/paracrine, Imaging, Immune system/immunology, Metabolic disease, Pathogenesis, Thyroid
Article class: Review Article

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Abstract:

Hypothyroidism is recognised as an important endocrine disorder of dogs, and a frequent differential for numerous presenting complaints. Its diagnosis has never been straight forward as results suggestive of hypothyroidism can occur for a variety of reasons in dogs with normal thyroid function (euthyroid). As a consequence, the accurate investigation of hypothyroidism has been hindered by the potential inclusion of a number of cases not truly hypothyroid. In recent years, the development of newer diagnostic tests, e.g. free thyroxine, canine thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroglobulin autoantibodies, has significantly improved our ability to reliably differentiate hypothyroidism from other clinically similar disorders. This has led to a marked increase in our knowledge of the phenotypic, genotypic and aetiological aspects of this disorder in dogs.

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