Comparison of ultrasonographic characteristics of the thyroid gland in healthy small-, medium-, and large-breed dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine ultrasonographic characteristics of the thyroid gland in healthy small-, medium-, and large-breed dogs and evaluate the relationships of thyroid gland size and volume with body weight and body surface area (BSA).


METHODS
72 dogs of small (6 Toy and 6 Miniature Poodles), medium (12 Beagles), and large breeds (12 Akitas and 36 Golden Retrievers).


METHODS
Each dog's thyroid gland was examined ultrasonographically with a 10- to 5-MHz multifrequency linear-array transducer. Size, shape, echogenicity, and homogeneity of thyroid lobes were evaluated on longitudinal and transverse images. Thyroid lobe volume was estimated by use of the equation for an ellipsoid (pi/6 [length x height x width]).


RESULTS
Thyroid lobes appeared fusiform or elliptical on longitudinal images and triangular or round to oval on transverse images. In most dogs, thyroid lobes were hyperechoic or isoechoic, compared with surrounding musculature, and had a homogeneous echogenic pattern. Mean length, width, height, and volume of thyroid lobes were significantly greater in Akitas and Golden Retrievers, compared with findings in Beagles or Poodles; mean length, width, and height were significantly greater in Beagles, compared with findings in Poodles. Total thyroid gland volume correlated with body weight (r = 0.73) and BSA (r = 0.74).


CONCLUSIONS
Among the dog breeds examined ultrasonographically, thyroid lobe size and volume were more variable than shape, echogenicity, and homogeneity. The correlation of thyroid gland volume with BSA suggests that size of the dog, rather than breed, should be considered when assessing thyroid glands ultrasonographically.
Brömel
Catharina
C
Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Pollard
Rachel E
RE
Kass
Philip H
PH
Samii
Valerie F
VF
Davidson
Autumn P
AP
Nelson
Richard W
RW
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D049628:Body Size; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D013045:Species Specificity; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D001323:Autoantibodies