Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hypothyroidism and respiratory insufficiency in a neonatal foal.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1990
- Authors:
- Murray, M J
- Affiliation:
- Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A newborn Thoroughbred foal was found to have hypothyroidism, which means its thyroid gland wasn't producing enough hormones. The foal was weak, had a low body temperature, and showed signs of a serious infection. When given a hormone treatment, the foal's thyroid hormone levels did not increase as expected compared to a healthy foal of the same age. Unfortunately, the foal died due to trouble breathing, and the examination after death showed signs that matched the hypothyroidism diagnosis.
Abstract
Hypothyroidism was diagnosed in a neonatal Thoroughbred foal that was weak, hypothermic, and septicemic. Administration of thyroid-releasing hormone elicited attenuated increases in concentrations of free and total triiodothyronine and thyroxine, as compared with a clinically normal, age-matched foal. The foal died of apparent respiratory insufficiency, pre- and postmortem findings compatible with hypothyroidism included hypothermia, large thyroid glands with distended, colloid-filled follicles, and severe, diffuse atelectasis, with thickened alveolar septae and degenerating alveolar squamous epithelial cells.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2276965/