Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with intrathoracic thyroid tumor causing hyperthyroidism and test
By Stassen, Q E M et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2007·Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Netherlands·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hyperthyroidism due to an intrathoracic tumour in a dog with test results suggesting hyperadrenocorticism.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 11-year-old Jack Russell terrier was brought in for increased urination (polyuria) and was found to have high levels of thyroid hormone, indicating hyperthyroidism. Further tests revealed a functioning thyroid tumor located in the chest. Although the dog also showed signs that suggested a different condition called hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease), the primary issue was the thyroid tumor. The dog was diagnosed with this rare condition, which is the first of its kind reported in dogs. Treatment options would typically focus on managing the tumor and any related symptoms.
People also search for: dog increased urination · Jack Russell hyperthyroidism treatment · dog thyroid tumor symptoms
Abstract
The elevated urinary corticoid/creatinine ratios of an 11-year-old Jack Russell terrier with polyuria were suppressible in a high-dose dexamethasone suppression test, which was suggestive of pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. The absence of physical and routine-laboratory changes compatible with hyperadrenocorticism and the relatively high plasma thyroxine concentration were the impetus for additional studies of thyroid and adrenocortical functions. A high plasma thyroxine concentration (62 nmol/l; 5.0 microg/100 ml) suggested the presence of hyperthyroidism. Radiography, (99m)TcO(4) (-) scintigraphy, ultrasonography, computed tomography and cytology revealed a hyperfunctioning intrathoracic thyroid tumour. In the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, the plasma cortisol concentration exceeded the reference value of 40 nmol/l (1.4 microg/100 ml) at eight hours after dexamethasone administration (0.01 mg/kg intravenously), a test result compatible with hyperadrenocorticism. In conclusion, this report represents the first case of a dog with an autonomously hyperfunctioning thyroid tumour in the thorax. The elevated urinary corticoid excretion and the positive low-dose dexamethasone suppression test may be explained by alterations in cortisol metabolism, the stress of the hyperthyroid state or both.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17472665/