Iodine deficiency in working dogs

Authors: Nuttall WO
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 34, Issue 5, pp 72, May 1986
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Companion animal, Dog
Subject Terms: Diet/rations/food, Endocrine/autocrine/paracrine, Thyroid, Disease/defect, Trace elements, Metabolic disease, Nutrition/metabolism
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Goitre as the result of a prolonged meat only diet is recognised in abattoir working dogs in this country and has been described previously. We have recently seen cases of clinical hypothyroidism and depressed serum thyroxine levels in dogs with and without goitre. All the animals involved were working dogs being fed on predominantly meat or meat only diets. Case 1 On clinical examination, nine of 20 mature abattoir working dogs showed bilateral thyroid enlargement, lethargy, alopecia and obesity. Four animals showed marked symptoms and very enlarged thyroid glands (10 x 7 cm). The history indicated a diet almost entirely restricted to beef brisket bones. The free thyroxine level in a serum sample from one dog was 0.9 pmol/ litre using the Radio Immune Assay (RIA) technique (normal for dogs is 12-20 pmol/litre B. Jones, pers comm). Case 2 Two mature abattoir working dogs showed marked bilateral thyroid enlargement (9 x 3 cm) and severe clinical hypothyroidism, characterised by lethargy, dry sparse haircoat, alopecia, increased body weight, decreased libido, irregularity of oestrus and subnormal body temperature. Diet was almost solely mutton from the works` freezers. The free serum thyroxine level in both dogs was 0.2 pmol/litre…

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