Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Diagnosing hypothyroidism in a mature cat using thyroid scans
By Blois, Shauna L et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2010·Department of Clinical Studies, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Use of thyroid scintigraphy and pituitary immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of spontaneous hypothyroidism in a mature cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was brought in due to a poor hair coat, skin issues, and ear infections that had been ongoing for two years. Tests showed low thyroid hormone levels, leading to a diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid). The cat was treated with levothyroxine, which initially improved his condition. However, after eight months, his skin problems returned, and sadly, he was euthanized. A post-mortem examination revealed no thyroid tissue, and tests showed changes in the pituitary gland.
People also search for: cat skin problems · hypothyroidism in cats · levothyroxine for cats · cat ear infection treatment
Abstract
A 12-year old, castrated male domestic shorthair cat presented with a 2-year history of poor hair coat, seborrhea, generalized pruritus and otitis externa. Low circulating concentrations of total serum thyroxine (TT(4)) and free thyroxine (fT(4)) and an elevated thyroid stimulating hormone concentration supported a diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism. Thyroid scintigraphy did not show uptake of radioactive technetium in the thyroid area. Treatment with levothyroxine resulted in clinical improvement. Recurrence of dermatitis 8 months after onset of treatment resulted in euthanasia of the cat. On post-mortem examination, thyroid tissue was not identified on gross or histological examination. Pituitary immunohistochemistry identified hyperplasia of chromophobe cells.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19695915/