Canine Top Endocrine Diseases Flashcards
what is the classic case presentation of hypothyroidism?
middle aged dog with insidious signs - weight gain, lethargy, exercise intolerance, hypothermia, bilaterally symmetric non-pruritic alopecia with a rat tail & dry coat, rare myxedema with a tragic facial expression
what is the etiology of hypothyroidism?
lymphocytic thyroiditis or thyroid atrophy
what initial screening is done when diagnosing hypothyroidism?
cbc - mild normocytic normochromic non-regenrative anemia chem - possible hypercholesteremia, hypertriglyceridemia serum T4 - low, either true or euthyroid sick syndrome
after initial screening, what diagnostics are done for hypothyroidism?
serum free T4 - if low, true hypothyroidism, if normal, euthyroid sick syndrome TSH - if high, true hypothyroidism, if normal/low, euthyroid sick syndrome
how is hypothyroidism treated? what monitoring is done upon the start of treatment?
oral synthetic T4 (levothyroxine) - gi absorption is poor, given ever 12-24 hours for life, will see slow improvement over weeks to months for monitoring - post-pill T4 4-6 weeks after starting treatment & then every 3-6 months
what is iatrogenic thyrotoxicosis?
pu/pd/pp, hyperactivity, & tachycardia - reevaluate treatment
what is the prognosis of hypothyroidism?
excellent
T/F: euthyroid sick syndrome can complicate the diagnosis of hypothyroidism
TRUE
what is seen at birth in a dog with congenital hypothyroidism?
disproportionate dwarfism
what treatment is done for a dog with hypothyroidism that is in a myxedema coma?
T4 must be given IV
what is the classic case presentation of a dog with diabetes mellitus?
middle aged dog that is pu/pd/pp, weight loss, cataracts (blindness)
what is the etiology of diabetes mellitus?
immune mediated destruction of the pancreatic islet cells (less common - severe pancreatitis)
what are predisposing factors for dogs with diabetes mellitus?
obesity, hyperadrenocorticism, steroid administration, & pregnancy
what clinical signs are seen in a dog with DKA?
vomiting, inappetance, lethargy, & dehydration
what initial screening is done for diagnosing diabetes mellitus?
CBC, chem - persistent hyperglycemia, increased ALP, hypercholesterolemia, & pre-renal azotemia if DKA - decompensation of DM set off by concurrent diseases (infection, pancreatitis)
after initial testing, what diagnostics are done for diabetes mellitus?
serum fructosamine - gives bg over 1-3 weeks
what treatment is done for stable diabetic dogs?
long acting SQ insulin ever 12 hours, diabetic specific diet at home monitoring - at home bg checks, fructosamine, bg curves, & clinical parameters
what treatment is done for a dog in DKA?
IV fluids, regular insulin CRI, & treatment of concurrent disease
what are some common complications associated with diabetes mellitus?
secondary infections - cystitis, dermatitis, cataracts (affect 80% dogs in first year of diagnosis)
what is the prognosis for a dog with diabetes mellitus?
good if the owner is able to provide care
what is the classic case presentation of a cushing’s dog?
middle aged dog - pu/pd/pp/panting, pot belly appearance, truncal alopecia, hepatomegaly, & muscle weakness
what are the etiologies of cushing’s disease?
pituitary microadenoma (PDH), adrenal tumors, or iatrogenic - PDH most common, adrenal tumors more likely if > 20 kg
what initial screening is done when working up a suspected cushing’s dog?
CBC - stress leukogram, mature neutrophilia, monocytosis, lymphopenia, eosinopenia, & thrombocytosis chem - ALP elevation, hypercholesterolemia urinalysis - isosthenuria +/- proteinuria
after initial screening, what diagnostics are done for a possible cushing’s dog?
ACTH stim - only for iatrogenic LDDST, urine cortisol:creatinine, & always treat non-adrenal illnesses before pursuing diagnostics/treatment
