Evaluation of serum thyroid hormones in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis have derangements in serum thyroid hormone concentrations and to evaluate whether such derangements relate to illness severity or outcome.


METHODS
Prospective observational study. Dogs hospitalized with SIRS or sepsis between May and December 2010 were included. Serum thyroid hormone concentrations were measured in all dogs. Data obtained on admission were used to calculate the Acute Patient Physiologic and Laboratory Evaluation (APPLE) scores.


METHODS
University teaching hospital.


METHODS
Twenty-two consecutive client-owned dogs hospitalized with SIRS or sepsis were enrolled; 18 dogs completed the study and 4 dogs were excluded for incomplete data. Forty-nine healthy dogs owned by volunteers were used as controls.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
Decreased total thyroxine (TT4) concentrations were documented in all septic and 7/9 dogs with SIRS. Free T4 concentrations were decreased, but were within the reference interval in 12/18 dogs with SIRS or sepsis compared to control dogs (P < 0.001). Dogs with increased APPLE(fast) scores were less likely to survive (P = 0.017).


CONCLUSIONS
Dogs with SIRS or sepsis have derangements in measured serum thyroid hormones. No relationships were identified between thyroid hormone concentrations and survival. The APPLE(fast) score was the only variable predictive of poor outcome.
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843.
Medora B
MB
Pashmakova
Micah A
MA
Bishop
Jörg M
JM
Steiner
Jan S
JS
Suchodolski
James W
JW
Barr
D000818:Animals; D003422:Critical Care; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D004285:Dogs; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*
D013963:Thyroid Hormones
APPLE score; SIRS; critical illness; endocrine function; illness severity