Euthyroid sick syndrome is a poorly understood syndrome in dogs. The syndrome does not necessarily cause symptoms. Instead most dogs with euthyroid sick syndrome will be suffering from a concurrent severe illness with its own set of symptoms. Misdiagnosis of hypothyroidism is a common problem, which can lead to unnecessary and potentially dangerous treatment with thyroid hormones.
Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disease of middle aged, medium to large breed dogs. The most common symptoms are hair loss and flaky skin. The skin is easily bruised and wounds heal poorly. There is also an increased risk for skin and ear infections. The disease is caused by a faulty thyroid gland that does not release the necessary hormones needed for vital body functions. In contrast, the thyroid gland has no significant damage in euthyroid sick syndrome.
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Euthyroid Sick Syndrome
In euthyroid sick syndrome another illness causes the suppression of the blood's concentration of hormones particularly thyroxine and free thyroxine (T4 and fT4). This suppression can be misleading and prompt a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. The reason the hormones become suppressed is not fully understood.
Diagnosis of euthyroid sick syndrome in dogs is a difficult process. Many cases are misdiagnosed or overlooked. A complete medical history and thorough physical exam are warranted to determine if there is a nonthyroidal illness present. Medications can cause suppression of the thyroid gland as well. It is important to take into consideration what medications your dog is taking. Blood tests for thyroxine levels and thyroid stimulating hormone will help in making a diagnosis. Other blood tests that can help distinguish euthyroid sick syndrome versus hypothyroidism include tests for anemia and high cholesterol. These are characteristic of hypothyroidism.
There are many potential causes for euthyroid sick syndrome. Endocrine diseases such as Cushing's disease, hypoadrenocortism and diabetes can suppress thyroid hormones. Severe infections, liver failure, kidney disease and heart failure can lead to euthryoid sick syndrome. Obese or elderly animals can have abnormally low levels of thyroid hormones. Being in heat, pregnancy or fasting also can cause misleading T4 and fT4 level results.
Treatment should revolve around treating the underlying illness or condition which caused the low hormone levels. Medications that may suppress hormone levels should be adjusted or changed if possible. Giving supplemental thyroid hormones to a dog with euthyroid sick syndrome is not recommended. All cases of euthyroid sick syndrome should be carefully monitored by a veterinarian until the condition resolves.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
Ugonjwa wa Euthyroid ni ugonjwa ambao haujatambuliwa vizuri kwa mbwa. Si lazima ugonjwa huo usababisha dalili. Mbwa wengi wenye ugonjwa wa euthyroid wanaugua ugonjwa mbaya wa kawaida na dalili zao. Ugonjwa wa hypothyroidism ni tatizo la kawaida, ambalo laweza kusababisha matibabu yasiyo ya lazima na yenye hatari kwa kutumia homoni za tezi-kibofu. Hypothyroidism ni ugonjwa wa kawaida wa endocrine wa umri wa kati, mbwa wa aina ya kati hadi kubwa. Dalili za kawaida ni kupoteza nywele na ngozi yenye kupasuka-pasuka. Ngozi huumia kwa urahisi na majeraha hayapona vizuri. Pia kuna hatari kubwa ya maambukizo ya ngozi na masikio. Ugonjwa huo husababishwa na tezi ya tezi-kibofu isiyofanya kazi ambayo haitoi homoni zinazohitajika kwa kazi muhimu za mwili. Kinyume chake, tezi-kibofu haina uharibifu mkubwa katika ugonjwa wa euthyroid. Ugonjwa wa Euthyroid (Euthyroid Syndrome) ni ugonjwa wa damu unaosababisha kupungua kwa viwango vya homoni za thyroxine na thyroxine huru (T4 na F4). Kuzuia huko kwaweza kuwa na udanganyifu na kuongoza kwenye utambuzi wa ugonjwa wa tezi-kibofu. Sababu ya homoni hizo kukandamizwa haijulikani kikamili. Utambuzi wa ugonjwa wa euthyroid katika mbwa ni mchakato mgumu. Matukio mengi huchunguzwa vibaya au kupuuzwa. Historia kamili ya matibabu na uchunguzi wa kina wa kimwili zinahitajika ili kuamua ikiwa kuna ugonjwa usio wa tezi-kibofu. Dawa zaweza pia kusababisha kukandamiza tezi-kibofu. Ni muhimu kuzingatia dawa ambazo mbwa wako anachukua. Uchunguzi wa damu wa viwango vya thyroxine na homoni inayosisimua tezi-kibofu utasaidia katika kufanya utambuzi. Uchunguzi mwingine wa damu ambao unaweza kusaidia kutofautisha ugonjwa wa euthyroid dhidi ya hypothyroidism ni pamoja na vipimo vya upungufu wa damu na cholesterol ya juu. Hizi ni sifa za ugonjwa wa hypothyroidism. Kuna visababishi vingi vinavyoweza kusababisha ugonjwa wa euthyroid. Magonjwa ya mfumo wa ndani ya mwili kama vile ugonjwa wa Cushing, hypoadrenocortism na kisukari yanaweza kuzuia homoni za tezi-kibofu. Maambukizo makali, kushindwa kwa ini, ugonjwa wa figo na kushindwa kwa moyo kunaweza kusababisha ugonjwa wa eutroyoid. Wanyama wanene kupita kiasi au wazee-wazee wanaweza kuwa na viwango vya chini sana vya homoni za tezi-kibofu. Kuchukua mimba, kufunga au kuwa na joto pia inaweza kusababisha matokeo ya kupotosha ya kiwango cha T4 na fT4. Matibabu yanapaswa kuzunguka kutibu ugonjwa au hali ya msingi ambayo ilisababisha viwango vya chini vya homoni. Dawa zinazoweza kupunguza viwango vya homoni zapasa kurekebishwa au kubadilishwa ikiwezekana. Haipendekezi kumpa mbwa mwenye ugonjwa wa euthyroid homoni za ziada za tezi-kibofu. Visa vyote vya ugonjwa wa euthyroid sick syndrome vinapaswa kufuatiliwa kwa uangalifu na daktari wa mifugo hadi hali hiyo itakapopona. Sikuzote wasiliana na daktari wako wa mifugo kabla ya kubadilisha lishe, dawa, au mazoezi ya kimwili ya mnyama wako. Habari hii si mbadala wa maoni ya daktari wa mifugo.