Canine Noninfectious Diseases

Question 1

Hypothyroidism

Answer 1

Pituitary gland tells thyroid to produce hormones (T4)
* regulates metabolism

Question 2

Hypothyroidism

Cause

Answer 2

Autoimmune destruction
* can’t make enough hormones

Question 3

Hypothyroidism

Clinical Signs

Answer 3

• Gain or Unable to lose weight (no diet change)
• Sluggish / Lethargic
• Alopecia

Question 4

Hypothyroidism Diagnosis

Answer 4

Full thyroid panel
* T4
* free T4 (fT4)
* cTSH

Rule out Euthyroid Sick

Question 5

Euthyroid Sick

Answer 5

Normal thyroid function, but other sickness causes lower thyroid levels

Question 6

Hypothyroidism Treatment

Answer 6

Thyroid Supplement Medication (Thyroxin)
* lifelong
* monitor levels

Question 7

HPA Axis

Answer 7

Hypothalamic - Pituitary - Adrenal Axis
* hypothalamus sends signal to pituitary gland
* pituitary gland sends signal to adrenal gland (ACTH)
* adrenal gland produces cortisol

Question 8

Hyperadrenocorticism

Pituitary-Dependent

Answer 8

• Tumor is on pituitary gland
• Small-breed dogs
• Too much ACTH produced = too much cortisol

Question 9

Hyperadrenocorticism

Adrenal Tumor

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Hyperadrenocorticism

Known As

Answer 10

Cushing’s Disease

Question 11

Hyperadrenocorticism

Clinical Signs

Answer 11

• Very hungry / thirsty
• Skin infections
• Urinary infections / increased urination
• Pot-belly appearance

Question 12

Hyperadrenocorticism Diagnosis

ACTH Stim Test

Answer 12

You pretend to be the pituitary gland
* give ACTH
* Normal: some cortisol produced
* Abnormal: large amount of cortisol produced

Question 13

Hyperadrenocorticism Diagnosis

Low-Dose Dexamethasone Test

Answer 13

Try to suppress the adrenal glands
* normal: dex should tell pituitary to stop sending signals, decreases cortisol
* abnormal: overproduce of cortisol regardless of dex

Question 14

Hyperadrenocorticism

Treatment

Answer 14

Caution: can cause adrenal glands to shut off completely and no longer produce cortisol (hypoadrenocorticism)
* need to monitor closely
* meds: trilostane / vetoryl

Question 15

Hypoadrenocorticism

Known As

Answer 15

Addison’s Disease

Question 16

Hypoadrenocorticism

Clinical Signs

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Hypoadrenocorticism

Aldosterone

Answer 17

Responsible for sodium-potassium balance
* abnormal = low or lack of

Question 18

Hypoadrenocorticism Diagnosis

ACTH Stim Test

Answer 18

Adrenal glands are toast
* no / low production of cortisol observed

Question 19

Hypoadrenocorticism Treatment

Answer 19

Long-term steriods and mineralocorticoids

Question 20

Normal Urinary Tract

How protects and prevents infection

Answer 20

• Frequently urinating
• Urethral peristalsis - urethra muscles push only one way
• pH
• Glycosaminoglycans

Question 21

Struvite Uroliths

Answer 21

• Alkaline urine
• Can dissolve with diet change - need to be on antibiotics due to bacterial release
• Generally just remove surgically

Question 22

Calcium Oxalate Uroliths

Answer 22

• Acidic Urine
• Diet related
• Cannot dissolve with diet, need to be removed