Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Adult cat with hypothyroidism causing hair loss and puffy face
By Rand, J S et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·1993·School of Veterinary Science, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Spontaneous adult-onset hypothyroidism in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A female cat was brought in showing signs of extreme tiredness, low body temperature, poor fur growth, dry skin, and a swollen face. After testing, the vet diagnosed her with hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones. The cat responded well to treatment with thyroxine, a hormone replacement therapy, and her symptoms improved quickly. However, she also had some issues with glucose levels that weren't significantly affected by the thyroid treatment.
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Abstract
Spontaneous adult-onset hypothyroidism, confirmed by a thyroid-stimulating hormone stimulation test, thyroid biopsy, and response to replacement therapy, is described in a female cat. Clinical signs consisted of profound apathy, hypothermia, poor hair growth, severe seborrhea sicca, and a puffy face. Cutaneous histological changes consisted of epidermal and follicular hyperkeratosis, teloginization of hairs, and dermal mucin deposition. There was no adnexal atrophy. Lymphocytic thyroiditis, equivalent to Hashimoto's thyroiditis, was shown by thyroid biopsy. Clinical signs rapidly responded to thyroxine replacement therapy. Glucose intolerance was coexistent with the hypothyroidism, but was not dramatically influenced by thyroxine therapy and probably was an independently occurring endocrinopathy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8263845/