Neurological Manifestations of Hypothyroidism: A Retrospective Study of 29 Dogs |
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| Authors: | André Jaggy John E Oliver Duncan C Ferguson E A Mahaffey T Glaus Jun |
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| Institution: | Departments of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA;Departments of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA;Departments of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA |
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| Abstract: | Neuromuscular signs in association with hypothyroidism are described in 29 dogs. Eleven dogs had lower motor neuron signs, 9 had peripheral vestibular deficits, 4 had megaesophagus, and 5 had laryngeal paralysis. Primarily older (mean = 9.5 years), large-breed dogs were affected, and there was no sex or breed predisposition. Duration of clinical signs before presentation ranged from 2 to 8 weeks (mean = 5 weeks). The diagnosis was based on (1) results of neurological examination (29 dogs); (2) electromyographic abnormalities (18 dogs), including fibrillation potentials (n = 18), positive sharp waves (n = 15), and complex repetitive discharges (n = 4); (3) high serum cholesterol concentration (10 dogs; mean = 335 mg/dL); (4) low response to thyroid-stimulating hormone (29 dogs; mean T4 prestimulation concentration = 0.8 μg/dL; mean T4 poststimulation = 1.2 μg/dL); and (5) good response to thyroxine supplementation (26 dogs). Dogs with vestibular deficits had abnormal brainstem auditory-evoked responses (BAER), including increased latencies of P1-P6 and decreased amplitude of P4,5-N5. Seven other dogs had similar BAER abnormalities without manifesting clinical signs of vestibular involvement. Three dogs with vestibular signs had fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves without exhibiting lower motor neuron signs. All dogs were supplemented with levothyroxine (0.02 mg/kg P0 bid). The follow-up period ranged between 6 and 30 months (mean, 14 months). Serum T4 concentrations were measured at least 3 times for each dog every 2 months (mean T4 concentration = 2.6 μg/dL). All but 1 dog with lower motor neuron signs and 1 dog with vestibular signs recovered after 2 months (mean, 57 days). Signs of megaesophagus became progressively less severe over 4 months. Dogs with laryngeal paralysis improved partially after 5 months. We suggest that either vestibular or lower motor neuron signs, megaesophagus, or laryngeal paralysis may be the only clinical signs of an underlying, more generalized polyneuropathy associated with hypothyroidism. Electro-diagnostic abnormalities may be detected before clinical disease develops. |
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