HYPOTHYROIDISM IN A DOG AFTER SURGERY AND RADIATION THERAPY FOR A FUNCTIONAL THYROID ADENOCARCINOMA

Hypothyroidism was diagnosed in a dog which had undergone unilateral thyroid lobectomy and external beam irradiation (48 Gy in 3 Gy fractions) for a functional cystic thyroid adenocarcinoma. Hypothyroidism became biochemically apparent within 4 months of completion of radiation therapy, and clinically apparent within 7 months. Clinical signs resolved after thyroid hormone supplementation. The potential for alterations in thyroid function should be considered in any animal undergoing radiation therapy in which the thyroid gland is included in the radiation field. This potential may be greater if surgery and radiation are combined.     

犬甲状腺机能减退并发糖尿病的中西医结合诊疗

犬甲状腺机能减退是由于甲状腺功能异常而引起甲状腺激素分泌不足或合成减少导致犬的内分泌紊乱的一类综合性疾病。长期的甲状腺激素分泌不足,可能继发糖尿病的发生。通过对1例患犬临床症状表现为全身被毛稀疏,多饮多尿多食,双眼白内障等,结合实验室检查(血常规、生化、甲状腺功能检查),总甲状腺(T4)<6.5,参考范围15 nmol/L^50nmol/L,血糖(GLU)20.7 mmol/L,参考范围3.9 mmol/L^8.0 mmol/L,确诊为甲状腺机能减退并发糖尿病。经补充左甲状腺素片治疗甲状腺机能减退,同时用胰岛素控制血糖,再结合中药和针灸辅助治疗病情得到缓解,为临床诊疗该类病提供了参考。     

Autoantibodies against thyroid hormones and their influence on thyroxine determination with chemiluminescence immunoassay in dogs

Autoantibodies against thyroxin (T4AA) and triiodothyronine (T3AA) are present in dogs with autoimmune thyroiditis and have been reported to interfere with immunoassays. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of autoantibodies and to determine whether interference occurs by T4AA, using a non-immunological method (high performance liquid chromatography, HPLC) for thyroxin (T4) measurement. Based on clinical symptoms, T4 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration, 1,339 dogs were divided into six groups: Group 1: hypothyroid (n = 149); Group 2: subclinical thyroiditis (n = 110); Group 3: suspicious for non thyroidal illness (n = 691); Group 4: biochemical euthyroid (n = 138); Group 5: hypothyroid dogs under substitution therapy (n = 141); Group 6: healthy dogs (n = 110). The incidence of T4AA and T3AA, determined using radiometric assay, was low (0.5% and 3.8%) and higher in hypothyroid dogs compared to dogs suspicious for hypothyroidism (Group 2-4) (p<0.05). T4AA was not detected in dogs with normal T4 and elevated TSH. T4 concentrations of T4AA positive samples determined using HPLC were comparable to results obtained by chemiluminescence immunoassay. These findings indicate that the probability of interference of T4AA leading to falsely elevated T4 concentration in the T4 assay seems to be low.     

SNAP-25在成年期甲减大鼠海马内表达变化及甲状腺素治疗效应

观察成年期甲状腺功能减退症(简称甲减)大鼠海马内突触相关蛋白SNAP-25(synaptosomal associated protein of 25 kD)改变及不同剂量甲状腺素治疗后的恢复状况,探讨甲减脑损伤及恢复可能的分子机制。结果显示,甲减大鼠血清T3、T4水平显著低于正常对照组(P<0.05),背侧海马突触小体内SNAP-25的表达水平显著高于正常对照组(P<0.05);常规剂量替代治疗组大鼠血清T3、T4恢复至正常水平,SNAP-25表达水平与甲减组比较未见明显改变(P>0.05);经大剂量替代治疗后血清T3、T4高于正常;SNAP-25的表达恢复到正常水平(P<0.05)。这些结果提示,成年期甲减大鼠海马内SNAP-25表达增加,甲状腺素治疗能使其恢复,大剂量替代治疗使SNAP-25表达恢复至正常水平。     

Modeling the relations of thyroid hormones in rats

The relations between the concentration of thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and thyrotropic hormone in the peripheral blood of white rats are studied in an experiment with the administration of a thyrostatic drug (merkazolil) in an optimally allowable daily dose. A high reliability of the mathematical model developed for reproducing the level of the content of hormones of the hypophysial-thyroid system is established.     

ERG findings in three hypothyroid adult dogs with and without levothyroxine treatment

Purpose To evaluate the effects of levothyroxine (LTh) on the electroretinogram (ERG) of adult dogs. Material and methods Binocular, full field photopic and scotopic ERGs were recorded from an anesthetized Maltese Bichon cross (MB), a Yorkshire Terrier (YT) and a Shetland Sheepdog (SS) affected with hypothyroidism and treated with a daily dose of LTh at 20 µg/kg. The photopic ERGs were evoked to 12 different intensities ranging from 0.81 to –2.19 log cd.s/m² and presented under photopic conditions in order to assess (from the derived luminance-response curves) Vmax and b : a amplitude ratio parameters. Photopic flicker ERGs were obtained at 30 Hz. The scotopic ERGs (intensity: –3.09 log cd.s/m²) were recorded while the retina was dark-adapting and after 32 min of dark adaptation. This procedure was performed on two separate sessions: following a 3-day interruption of LTh treatment (S1) and following 30 days without interruption of LTh treatment (S2). Results The mean photopic a-wave peak times were 9.8 ms at S1 and 5.0 ms at S2, respectively. The mean photopic b-wave peak times were 23.3 ms at S1 and 11.5 ms at S2, respectively, and the mean scotopic b-wave peak times (after 32 min of dark adaptation) were 45.2 ms at S1 and 26.0 ms at S2, respectively. No other significant ERG changes were observed. Conclusion Our results indicate that a dose of 20 µg/kg of LTh given to adult dogs was accompanied by a marked peak time shortening of both photopic and scotopic ERGs, without affecting other ERG parameters.     

CRETINISM IN A NORTH AMERICAN BLACK BEAR(URSUS AMERICANUS)

Congenital hyperplastic goiter and cretinism were documented in a 16 month-old male North American black bear (Ursus americanus). The cub was captured at approximately 8 months of age and maintained for an additional 8 months in captivity. Clinical signs included growth retardation, clumsiness, and facial dysmorphism. Hypothyroidism was documented by determining serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels. Lysosomal storage disease was ruled out by measuring various lysosomal enzyme activities. Serologic, radiographic, computed tomographic, necropsy, and histopathologic findings were consistent with congenital hypothyroidism and cretinism.     

Tertiary hypothyroidism in a dog

: A nine-year-old male entire Labrador was diagnosed with pituitary dependent hyperadrenocorticism. Following seven months of successful mitotane therapy, the dog presented with marked weight gain, seborrhoea and alopecia. Routine clinicopathological analyses revealed marked hypercholesterolaemia. Serum total and free thyroxine (T4) concentrations were below their respective reference ranges. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (cTSH) concentration was within reference range. TSH and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) response tests revealed adequate stimulation of total T4 in both, and cTSH in the latter test. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass arising from the pituitary fossa, with suprasellar extension. A diagnosis of tertiary hypothyroidism was made. Following four weeks of levothyroxine therapy, circulating cholesterol concentration had declined, weight loss had ensued and dermatological abnormalities had improved. Euthanasia was performed four months later due to the development of neurological signs. A highly infiltrative pituitary adenoma, with effacement of the overlying hypothalamus was identified on post mortem examination. Tertiary hypothyroidism has not been previously reported in dogs.