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  • Title: Hypothyroid-associated central vestibular disease in 10 dogs: 1999-2005.
    Author: Higgins MA, Rossmeisl JH, Panciera DL.
    Journal: J Vet Intern Med; 2006; 20(6):1363-9. PubMed ID: 17186851.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: With the exception of myxedema coma, central nervous system signs are rare in hypothyroid dogs. HYPOTHESIS: Central vestibular dysfunction is a possible and reversible manifestation of hypothyroidism. ANIMALS: Medical records of dogs with vestibular dysfunction and hypothyroidism were reviewed. Of 113 records identified, 10 dogs with at least 2 concurrent clinical neurologic abnormalities localizable to the central vestibular system were included. METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive study. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis was 7 years (range, 5-10 years). All dogs were referred for progressive neurologic disease. Lesions were localized to the myelencephalic region in 5 dogs and to the vestibulocerebellum in 5 dogs. Two dogs had evidence of multifocal intracranial disease. Non-neurologic physical abnormalities suggestive of hypothyroidism were absent in 7 of 10 dogs. Hypercholesterolemia was the only consistent clinicopathologic abnormality detected, and was present in 7 of 10 dogs. All dogs had total thyroxine (TT4) and free thyroxine (fT4) concentrations below reference ranges, and 9 of 10 had increased TSH concentrations. Intracranial imaging studies were normal in 5 of 8 dogs, and identified lesions consistent with infarctions in 3 of 8 dogs. Albuminocytologic dissociation was detected in 5 of 6 CSF analyses. Brainstem auditory-evoked responses disclosed prolonged wave V latencies in 3 of 4 dogs tested. No other causes of central vestibular dysfunction were identified during other diagnostic investigations. The median time from initiation of treatment to clinical improvement was 4 days. Vestibular signs resolved in 9 of 10 dogs within 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Although the pathogenesis in dogs without evidence of infarction is unknown, central vestibular dysfunction appears to be a rare but reversible neurologic sequelae of hypothyroidism.
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