Canine Noninfectious Diseases Flashcards
Hypothyroidism
Pituitary gland tells thyroid to produce hormones (T4)
* regulates metabolism
Hypothyroidism
Cause
Autoimmune destruction
* can’t make enough hormones
Hypothyroidism
Clinical Signs
- Gain or Unable to lose weight (no diet change)
- Sluggish / Lethargic
- Alopecia
Hypothyroidism Diagnosis
Full thyroid panel
* T4
* free T4 (fT4)
* cTSH
Rule out Euthyroid Sick
Euthyroid Sick
Normal thyroid function, but other sickness causes lower thyroid levels
Hypothyroidism Treatment
Thyroid Supplement Medication (Thyroxin)
* lifelong
* monitor levels
HPA Axis
Hypothalamic - Pituitary - Adrenal Axis
* hypothalamus sends signal to pituitary gland
* pituitary gland sends signal to adrenal gland (ACTH)
* adrenal gland produces cortisol
Hyperadrenocorticism
Pituitary-Dependent
- Tumor is on pituitary gland
- Small-breed dogs
- Too much ACTH produced = too much cortisol
Hyperadrenocorticism
Adrenal Tumor
One gland may be normal, one is cancerous
* cancer one creates a lot of cortisol
* other is smaller, doesn’t work as hard
* large breed dogs
Hyperadrenocorticism
Known As
Cushing’s Disease
Hyperadrenocorticism
Clinical Signs
- Very hungry / thirsty
- Skin infections
- Urinary infections / increased urination
- Pot-belly appearance
Hyperadrenocorticism Diagnosis
ACTH Stim Test
You pretend to be the pituitary gland
* give ACTH
* Normal: some cortisol produced
* Abnormal: large amount of cortisol produced
Hyperadrenocorticism Diagnosis
Low-Dose Dexamethasone Test
Try to suppress the adrenal glands
* normal: dex should tell pituitary to stop sending signals, decreases cortisol
* abnormal: overproduce of cortisol regardless of dex
Hyperadrenocorticism
Treatment
Caution: can cause adrenal glands to shut off completely and no longer produce cortisol (hypoadrenocorticism)
* need to monitor closely
* meds: trilostane / vetoryl
Hypoadrenocorticism
Known As
Addison’s Disease
Hypoadrenocorticism
Clinical Signs
Can be hard to diagnose initially
* on / off GI issues
Progressed more obvious
* look like they are in shock - electrolyte imbalance
* bradycardia or normal HR
Hypoadrenocorticism
Aldosterone
Responsible for sodium-potassium balance
* abnormal = low or lack of
Hypoadrenocorticism Diagnosis
ACTH Stim Test
Adrenal glands are toast
* no / low production of cortisol observed
Hypoadrenocorticism Treatment
Long-term steriods and mineralocorticoids
Normal Urinary Tract
How protects and prevents infection
- Frequently urinating
- Urethral peristalsis - urethra muscles push only one way
- pH
- Glycosaminoglycans
Struvite Uroliths
- Alkaline urine
- Can dissolve with diet change - need to be on antibiotics due to bacterial release
- Generally just remove surgically
Calcium Oxalate Uroliths
- Acidic Urine
- Diet related
- Cannot dissolve with diet, need to be removed
