Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Thyroid hormone changes linked to survival in sick dogs
By Mooney, C T et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2008·University of Glasgow Veterinary School, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Thyroid hormone abnormalities and outcome in dogs with non-thyroidal illness.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with various illnesses were tested for thyroid hormone levels, and many showed low levels of important hormones. In fact, nearly 76% had low triiodothyronine, and about 35% had low thyroxine. The study found that dogs with significantly lower hormone levels were more likely to be euthanized, while those with higher levels had a better chance of recovery. This suggests that monitoring thyroid hormone levels could help veterinarians predict outcomes in sick dogs.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To document thyroid hormone abnormalities in dogs with non-thyroidal illness and identify markers of prognostic value. METHODS: Circulating total and free thyroxine, total triiodothyronine and thyrotropin concentrations were measured in 196 dogs with non-thyroidal illness. Clinical signs, previous medications and outcome were recorded in each case. Data were analysed to determine endocrine prognostic factors, and to document the prevalence of thyroid hormone abnormalities. RESULTS: Total triiodothyronine, and total and free thyroxine concentrations were decreased in 75.9, 34.7 and 4.5 per cent of cases, respectively. Dogs which were euthanased had significantly decreased total triiodothyronine, and total and free thyroxine concentrations compared with those which made a full recovery. Total triiodothyronine concentrations were significantly lower in dogs that were euthanased compared with those which made a partial recovery. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Thyroid hormone concentrations may be used as prognostic indicators in dogs with non-thyroidal illness. Low triiodothyronine syndrome may be more common in dogs than previously recognised.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17784933/