ASSESSMENT OF CARDIAC DYSFUNCTION IN DOGS WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM
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Date
2018
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COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR
Abstract
The study entitled “Assessment of cardiac dysfunction in dogs with
hypothyroidism” was conducted at the Department of Veterinary Clinical
Medicine, Ethics and Jurisprudence, CVAS, Mannuthy. Hypothyroidism was
diagnosed in 13 dogs based on clinical signs and lowered serum triiodothyronine
(T3) or serum tetraiiodothyroxine (T4) and treated with levothyroxine @
20µg/kgbwt orally once daily on empty stomach. Among these, only 12 dogs
which completed one month of treatment were included in the study. Majority
of hypothyroid dogs belonged to 4-8 years age group. Labrador Retriever was
the breed mostly diagnosed with the disease. The common clinical signs
observed in the hypothyroid dogs were symmetrical alopecia of trunk, pruritus,
hyperpigmentation, dull and rough hairs, hair coat thinning and lusterless coat,
seborrhea sicca and alopecia of tail. Hematological findings of hypothyroid
dogs were leucocytosis and moderate anemia. Serum biochemical results
revealed non significant changes in lipid profile. The electrocardiographic
changes recorded were reduced PR interval on 0th day of treatment, sinus
arrhythmia, ventricular premature complexes and low R wave amplitude. The
major echocardiographic findings were increased interventricular septum
thickness at end diastole, posterior wall thickness at end diastole and end
systole. Mitral valvular insufficiency was diagnosed in five out of twelve cases
on colour doppler study. Excellent improvement in dermatological symptoms
was observed in two cases after one month of treatment with levothyroxine. The
echocardiographic parameters, left ventricular internal diameter at diastole,
end diastolic volume, stroke volume and cardiac output were lowered after one
month of treatment. Dosage adjustment of levothyroxine was done in two dogs
based on clinical improvement and elevated serum T4 value after 4-6 hrs of
levothyroxine administration on 30th day of therapy. The study revealed that
mitral valvular insufficiency could be associated with hypothyroidism.
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