Canine hypothyroidism: avoiding over diagnosing the condition

In Pract. Mar 2022;44(2):68-75. 22 Refs

Susanna Spence¹

¹ North Downs Specialist Referrals, Bletchingley RH1 4QP, UK.

Author Abstract

Background: Hypothyroidism is one of the most commonly treated endocrine disorders in dogs; however, the diagnosis of this condition can be challenging, potentially leading to misdiagnosis. The clinical signs of hypothyroidism are vague and non-specific, as are the routine haematological and biochemical changes. When assessing the thyroid axis, the classical finding of decreased total thyroxine and increased thyroid-stimulating hormone is highly specific for the diagnosis of hypothyroidism, but has less good sensitivity. Although numerous other tests are available, a basic understanding of thyroid gland physiology and thyroid test methodology is needed to be able to use each test and interpret the results correctly.

Aim of the article: This article discusses how to confidently diagnose the condition, explaining how clinicians need to consider the clinical signs, routine clinicopathological changes and thyroid hormone concentrations together, rather than in isolation.

Article Tools:

Email to me

Archives Highlights:

Litter box size and litter type preference and their associated behavioral changes in cats.
Our findings indicated that cats preferred litter boxes measuring ≥50 cm as well as clumping clay litter. Moreover, a comfortable litter environment combining these two elements promoted normal urination behavior while improving house-soiling (both urination and defecation).

Aseptic protocol breaches are common among veterinary students scrubbing, gowning, and gloving into surgery.
At least 1 aseptic protocol breach (APB) was noted in 46.3% of the 96 procedures observed. The most common mistakes noted were contact of the sterile towel onto nonsterile surfaces (17.7%), contact of the gown with nonsterile surfaces (17.7%), touching sterile objects with bare hands (12.5%), and improper scrubbing technique (17.4%).

"My Bitch Is Empty!" An Overview of the Reasons for Pregnancy Loss in Dogs.
If embryonic death occurs before day 35 of gestation, the embryo is absorbed. Fetal death in the second half of gestation leads to abortion or fetal emphysema, maceration, or mummification.

Effective treatment with afoxolaner (NexGard) of Trixacarus caviae in a pet guinea pig.
The animal was treated with a single oral dose of 2.50 mg/kg afoxolaner, and the lesions, presence/absence of mites, and intensity of pruritus were evaluated periodically until 2 months post-treatment. A week after the medication, the lesions were milder, but pruritus was still present and was attributed to the healing process. Further examinations showed significant improvement with the complete remission of clinical signs and no mites at the microscopic examination after 4 weeks.

Companion animal veterinary personnel have occupational risk for tularemia and One Health role for tularemia prevention in Kansas.
Forty-three percent (47 of 109) of veterinarians reported diagnosing tularemia in cats and 13% (14 of 109) in dogs. Seven percent (8 of 109) of veterinarians reported having had tularemia. When performing procedures with a high risk of exposure, such as lancing abscesses in tularemia suspects, glove use was 100% but additional personal protective equipment was inconsistent, including eye protection (70%) and surgical face mask (59%).