Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Iatrogenic, sulfonamide-induced hypothyroid crisis in a Labrador Retriever.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2009
- Authors:
- Brenner, K et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This case involves a 4-year-old female Labrador Retriever that developed a serious condition called hypothyroid crisis, which means her thyroid gland wasn't working properly, after being treated with a high dose of a medication called trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for 10 days. After starting treatment, she showed signs of weakness, trouble walking, and seemed mentally down. Tests confirmed that her symptoms were linked to the thyroid issue affecting her nervous system. Fortunately, a short course of levothyroxine sodium, a medication to help thyroid function, completely resolved her symptoms, and follow-up tests showed no other thyroid problems. This case is important because it highlights a potentially dangerous reaction to this common antibiotic in dogs, emphasizing the need for veterinarians to recognize it early.
Abstract
This case report describes a sulfonamide-induced hypothyroid crisis in a 4-year-old Labrador Retriever bitch. Empirical therapy with high-dose trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for 10 days produced signs of weakness, ataxia and mental depression and the clinicopathological results supported hypothyroid-induced central nervous system depression. Short-term levothyroxine sodium therapy led to complete resolution of all clinical signs and follow-up thyroid hormone assays ruled out underlying thyroid pathology. This case report is the first to highlight this potentially life-threatening manifestation of sulfonamide-induced hypothyroidism. Sulfonamide combinations are widely used antimicrobials in veterinary medicine and early recognition of this syndrome is critical.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19930169/