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Prevalence of diagnostic characteristics indicating canine autoimmune lymphocytic thyroiditis in giant schnauzer and hovawart dogs |
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| Authors: | K. Ferm,,S. Bjö rnerfeldt,Å . Karlsson,&dagger ,G. Andersson,R. Nachreiner,&Dagger Å . Hedhammar,§ |
| Affiliation: | Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7023, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, BMC, PO Box 597, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; University Animal Hospital, Section of Clinical Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7040, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden; Diagnostic Centre for Population and Animal Health, Michigan State University, PO Box 30076, Lansing, MI 48909-7576, USA; Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7054, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden |
| Abstract: | O bjectives : To investigate prevalence of autoantibodies to thyroglobulin (TgAA) and/or elevated levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), indicating canine autoimmune lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) and/or hypothyroidism, in two high-risk dog breeds. M ethods : A cohort study was conducted in two birth cohorts of giant schnauzer and hovawart dogs. The cohorts were three to four and six to seven years of age at the time of blood sampling and screening for TgAA and TSH levels. Blood sampling was accompanied by one initial and one follow-up questionnaire to the dog owners. A total number of 236 giant schnauzers and 95 hovawarts were included in the study. R esults : Seventeen (7.2 per cent) giant schnauzers and three (3·2 per cent) hovawarts had been diagnosed as hypothyroid at the time of sampling. Out of the remaining dogs, 22 giant schnauzers (10·0 per cent) and nine hovawarts (10·1 per cent) had elevated TgAA and/or TSH levels. Prevalence of elevated TgAA and TSH levels varied with age. C linical S ignificance : The high prevalence of diagnostic characteristics indicating CLT/hypothyroidism in these two breeds suggests a strong genetic predisposition. It would be advisable to screen potential breeding stock for TSH and TgAA as a basis for genetic health programmes to reduce prevalence of CLT in these breeds. |
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