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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Dog with Schmidt's syndrome causing thyroid and adrenal failure

By J. Pikula et al.·Published in Veterinární Medicína·2007·University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic, CZ·View original on DOAJ

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Original publication title: Schmidt's syndrome in a dog: a case report

Species:
dog

Plain-English summary

A 6-year-old female Black Russian Terrier was brought to the vet because she was showing signs of hypothyroidism, which can include weight gain, lethargy, and skin issues. After starting treatment with a thyroid hormone supplement, she improved but returned four months later with similar vague symptoms. The vet diagnosed her with a condition affecting her adrenal glands, which required additional medications to manage. Since starting treatment with hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone, she has been stable and doing well for over a year.

People also search for: dog hypothyroidism treatment · Black Russian Terrier adrenal gland issues · dog weight gain and lethargy

Abstract

This report describes a clinical case and development of the polyglandular failure syndrome including hypothyroidism and hypoadrenocorticism in a 6-year-old female Black Russian Terrier. The bitch was presented because of hypothyroidism on the first occasion. Oral supplementation with sodium levothyroxine resulted in clinical improvement. Four months later, it was presented again with similar and rather vague clinical signs and diagnosed with adrenocortical deficiency both in mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid functions. Indirect immunofluorescence to investigate the presence of circulating autoantibodies against the thyroid and adrenal glands revealed only anti-thyroid antibodies (microsomal pattern) at a dilution of 1:40. Since then, the bitch has been on hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone with no adjustments necessary for a year. The combination of two endocrinopathies and the episodic course of hypoadrenocorticism made the final diagnosis difficult, posed a diagnostic challenge and required the owner's compliance with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

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Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.17221/1998-VETMED