Dog - hypothyroidism - neurology: what is the connection?

摘要

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrinological disorder in older, large breed dogs and has various clinical symptoms. Polyneuropathies are a common sequela affecting spinal and cranial nerves. Symptoms include generalized weakness, ataxia, hyporeflexia, vestibular signs and facial nerve paresis or paralysis. Circling and seizure disorders indicate an involvement of the central nervous system. Combined measurement of T4 and cTSH is often sufficient to distinguish between euthyroid, hypothyroid and euthyroid conditions. TRH stimulation test, electrodiagnostic facilities and biopsies of affected nerves and muscles can also provide further information. Substitution therapy has beneficial effects in most cases of polyneuropathy and seizure activity. However, several diseases and drugs can decrease thyroid hormone levels despite normal thyroid function which is defined as euthyroid syndrome. In dogs with idiopathic epilepsy and without anticonvulsive therapy, this phenomenon has been described recently..