Gori Eleonora, Gianella Paola, Lippi Ilaria, Marchetti Veronica
Veterinary Teaching Hospital "Mario Modenato", Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Via Livornese Lato Monte, 56122 Pisa, PI, Italy.
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy.
Animals (Basel). 2023 Aug 19;13(16):2668. doi: 10.3390/ani13162668.
Few observations about gastrointestinal (GI) signs in hypothyroid dogs (hypo-T dogs) are available. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of concurrent GI signs in hypo-T dogs, describe clinicopathological, hepato-intestinal ultrasound findings in hypo-T dogs, investigate changes in GI signs after thyroid replacement therapy (THRT). Medical records of suspected hypo-T dogs from two hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. The inclusion criteria were: (1) having symptoms and clinicopathological abnormalities related to hypothyroidism (i.e., mild anemia, hyperlipemia); (2) not being affected by systemic acute disease; (3) not having received any treatment affecting thyroid axis. Hypothyroidism had to be confirmed using low fT4 or TT4 with high TSH and/or inadequate TSH-stimulation test response; otherwise, dogs were assigned to a euthyroid group. Clinical history, GI signs, hematobiochemical parameters, and abdominal ultrasound findings were recorded. Hypo-T dogs were assigned to the GI group (at least 2 GI signs) and not-GI group (1 or no GI signs). Follow-up information 3-5 weeks after THRT was recorded. In total, 110 medical records were screened: 31 dogs were hypo-T, and 79 were euthyroid. Hypo-T dogs showed a higher prevalence of GI signs (44%), especially constipation and diarrhea ( = 0.03 and = 0.001), than euthyroid dogs (24%) ( = 0.04). Among hypo-T dogs, no difference in hematological parameters between GI and non-GI groups was found. Hypo-T dogs had a higher prevalence of gallbladder alterations than euthyroid dogs (20/25; 80% and 32/61; 52% = 0.04). The hypo-T GI group showed a significant improvement in the GI signs after THRT ( < 0.0001). Specific investigation for concurrent GI diseases in hypo-T dogs was lacking; however, improvement in GI signs following THRT supports this association between GI signs and hypothyroidism.
关于甲状腺功能减退犬（甲状腺功能减退犬）胃肠道（GI）体征的观察资料较少。我们旨在评估甲状腺功能减退犬并发胃肠道体征的患病率和特征，描述甲状腺功能减退犬的临床病理、肝肠超声检查结果，研究甲状腺替代治疗（THRT）后胃肠道体征的变化。对两家医院疑似甲状腺功能减退犬的病历进行回顾性分析。纳入标准为：（1）有与甲状腺功能减退相关的症状和临床病理异常（即轻度贫血、高脂血症）；（2）未受全身性急性疾病影响；（3）未接受过任何影响甲状腺轴的治疗。必须使用低fT4或TT4伴高TSH和/或TSH刺激试验反应不足来确诊甲状腺功能减退；否则，将犬归入甲状腺功能正常组。记录临床病史、胃肠道体征、血液生化参数和腹部超声检查结果。甲状腺功能减退犬分为胃肠道组（至少2种胃肠道体征）和非胃肠道组（1种或无胃肠道体征）。记录THRT后3 - 5周的随访信息。共筛查110份病历：31只犬为甲状腺功能减退犬，79只为甲状腺功能正常犬。与甲状腺功能正常犬（24%）相比，甲状腺功能减退犬胃肠道体征的患病率更高（44%），尤其是便秘和腹泻（P = 0.03和P = 0.001）（P = 0.04）。在甲状腺功能减退犬中，胃肠道组和非胃肠道组的血液学参数无差异。甲状腺功能减退犬胆囊改变的患病率高于甲状腺功能正常犬（20/25；80%和32/61；52%，P = 0.04）。甲状腺功能减退胃肠道组在THRT后胃肠道体征有显著改善（P < 0.0001）。缺乏对甲状腺功能减退犬并发胃肠道疾病的具体调查；然而，THRT后胃肠道体征的改善支持了胃肠道体征与甲状腺功能减退之间的这种关联。
