title: Dietary hyperthyroidism in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluation of dogs with elevated plasma thyroxine concentration fed raw food before and after changing the diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2006 and 2011 all dogs presented with an elevated plasma thyroxine concentration and a dietary history of feeding raw food were included. Thyroxine (reference interval: 19·3 to 51·5 nmol/L) and in many cases also thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations (reference interval: <0·30 ng/mL) were measured initially and after changing the diet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve dogs were presented with a median age of five years. The median plasma thyroxine concentration was 156·1 (range of 79·7 to 391·9) nmol/L; in six dogs, thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration was measured and was <0·03 ng/mL in five dogs and 0·05 ng/mL in one dog. Six dogs showed clinical signs such as weight loss, aggressiveness, tachycardia, panting and restlessness while six dogs had no clinical signs. After changing the diet eight dogs were examined: thyroxine concentration normalised in all dogs and clinical signs resolved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dietary hyperthyroidism can be seen in dogs on a raw meat diet or fed fresh or dried gullets. Increased plasma thyroxine concentration in a dog, either with or without signs of hyperthyroidism, should prompt the veterinarian to obtain a thorough dietary history.
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Clinic Hofheim, Im Langgewann 9, 65719 Hofheim, Germany.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stengel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Neiger
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013974:Thyroxine