Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Thyroxine blood levels at ICU admission predict survival
By Neiman, Dana J et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2020·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prognostic value of serum total thyroxine concentration at admission to an intensive care unit for critically ill dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 166 critically ill dogs, averaging 8.6 years old, were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) where their thyroid hormone levels (serum total thyroxine) were measured. The study found that these hormone levels did not predict whether the dogs would survive their hospital stay or how long they would need to be hospitalized. However, older dogs were less likely to survive compared to younger ones, and those who stayed longer in the hospital had a lower chance of going home. Overall, the thyroid hormone levels at admission did not help veterinarians assess the dogs' chances of recovery.
People also search for: dog ICU admission · critically ill dog survival rate · thyroid hormone levels in dogs · older dog hospitalization outcome
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether serum total thyroxine (TT4) concentration at admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) was associated with mortality rate and duration of hospitalization for critically ill dogs. ANIMALS: 166 client-owned dogs that were hospitalized in the ICU of a private veterinary practice from January 2013 through December 2016 and for which serum TT4 concentration had been measured at admission. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed to collect data regarding patient signalment, concurrent illnesses, medications, reason for hospitalization, outcome (death, euthanasia, or survival to hospital discharge), duration of hospitalization, and initial serum TT4 concentration. RESULTS: Mean age of the 166 dogs was 8.6 years (range, 1 to 16 years). Overall mortality rate was 15.7%, with 26 dogs failing to survive to hospital discharge. Of these 26 dogs, 7 died and 19 were euthanized. No significant association was identified between serum TT4 concentration at admission and survival to discharge (yes or no) or duration of hospitalization. Age was significantly associated with survival to discharge, with older dogs less likely to survive than younger dogs. Duration of hospitalization was also associated with survival to discharge, with longer hospital stays associated with a lower likelihood of survival to discharge. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggested that serum TT4 concentration at admission to an ICU had no prognostic value in this population of critically ill dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32538707/