Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hyperthyroidism in dogs caused by consumption of thyroid-containing head meat.
- Journal:
- Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde
- Year:
- 2013
- Authors:
- Zeugswetter, F K et al.
- Affiliation:
- Clinical Department for Small Animals and Horses
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two female spayed dogs from the same owner were brought in for evaluation because they showed signs of hyperthyroidism, a condition where the thyroid glands produce too much hormone. An ultrasound of their necks showed that their thyroid glands were small, which suggested a specific type of hyperthyroidism caused by eating head meat that contained thyroid tissue. This was confirmed by checking the supplier of the head meat and testing other dogs that had also eaten it. After the owner changed the dogs' diet, their hormone levels went down, and they no longer showed any signs of illness.
Abstract
Two female spayed dogs belonging to the same owner were admitted for further examinations because of clinical signs and laboratory values compatible with hyperthyroidism. Sonography of the ventral aspect of the neck revealed small thyroid glands in both dogs. The hypothesis that the dogs suffered from alimentary hyperthyroidism caused by feeding head meat containing thyroid gland tissue was confirmed by consultation of the slaughtering plant, determination of iodine concentrations in deep-frozen samples and hormone measurements in 5 other dogs receiving head meat from the same supplier. After changing the diet, thyroxine concentrations declined and clinical signs were no longer observed.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23385074/