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Common Endocrine Disorders of Dogs and Cats

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Endocrine disorders occur when your dog’s or cat’s body produces or releases hormones improperly. These imbalances can cause various clinical signs and affect your pet’s overall health. 

Here’s an overview of the three most common endocrine disorders in dogs and cats, along with tips to help you recognize the signs early and get your pet the care they need. 

A small syringe with a black cat in the background.

1. Diabetes Mellitus 

Diabetes mellitus is caused by: 

  • A lack of insulin production from the pancreas (This is known as Type 1 Diabetes in humans – or “insulin dependent”). This is most common in dogs.
  • Insulin resistance in the body, where there is difficulty in utilizing blood sugar (This is known as Type 2 Diabetes in humans – or “insulin independent”). This is most common in cats.  
    • Clinical Signs: 
      • Increase in thirst and urination
      • Weight loss despite a good or increased appetite 
    • Diagnosis:
      • Bloodwork and a urine sample can reveal elevated levels of glucose, commonly referred to as “sugar,” in both the blood and urine. 
    • Treatment:
      • Administration of insulin to allow the body to utilize blood sugar, along with specific diets that are high in protein and/or fiber. 
    • Potential Complications:
      • Cataracts or clouding of the lenses in the eye 
      • Urinary Tract Infections 
      • Nerve changes causing leg weakness (neuropathy) 
      • Life-threatening production of ketones leading to acid in the blood known as diabetic ketoacidosis 

A yellow radiation symbol that says "Radioactive" underneath and a monitoring device.

2. Hyperthyroidism 

Hyperthyroidism is often caused by a benign growth (ie: adenoma) of the thyroid gland in the neck that overproduces thyroid hormone. This disease is most common in cats and can occur secondary to thyroid cancers in dogs or ingestion of excessive thyroid tissue in raw diets.  

    • Clinical Signs:
      • Weight loss despite increased appetite
      • Increased vocalization
      • Vomiting
      • Increased thirst and urination
      • Rough hair coat
      • Muscle wasting 
    • Diagnosis:
      • Blood testing that indicates elevated thyroid hormone production.  
    • Treatment:
      • Administration of radioactive iodine (known as I-131 Therapy). This radioactive substance is absorbed by the thyroid gland and destroys the overproducing tissue.
      • Administration of daily medications (ie: methimazole) that block the production of thyroid hormone.
      • Feeding of prescription diets that are limited in iodine, an essential nutrient for thyroid production – thus decreasing thyroid hormone production.
      • Surgical removal of the thyroid gland.  
    • Potential Complications: 
      • Elevated blood pressure 
      • Heart disease and heart failure 
      • A “thyroid storm a rare but life-threatening medical emergency caused by an extreme overactivity of the thyroid gland that results in dangerously high levels of thyroid hormones in the body 

A blue background with the words "Cushing's Disease" in white with a stethoscope wrapped around the words.

3. Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s Disease) 

This disease is most common in dogs but can occur rarely in cats.  Hyperadrenocorticism, also known as Cushing’s Disease, is caused by overproduction of stress hormone (i.e. cortisol) either from: 

  • A tumor of the adrenal gland in the abdomen 
  • An enlargement of the pituitary gland in the brain 
    • Clinical Signs: 
      • Increased Appetite
      • Increased thirst and urination
      • Hair loss
      • Potbellied appearance
      • Muscle wasting 
    • Diagnosis:
      • Hormone blood testing indicating an elevation in cortisol.  Additional diagnostics may include abdominal ultrasound or MRI imaging of the brain  
    • Treatment:
      • Administration of medications that block cortisol production or destroy the adrenal gland
      • Surgical removal of the adrenal gland
      • Radiation therapy of the brain 
    • Potential Complications:  
      • Diabetes mellitus
      • Elevated blood pressure
      • Blood clot formation
      • Urinary tract infections
      • Skin disorders
      • Disease of the gallbladder known as gallbladder mucocele  

A sick dog lying head on the shoulder of a vet tech wearing blue scrubs.

If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health, talk to your family veterinarian. In some cases, your veterinarian may elect to refer you to a board-certified veterinary internist.   

Learn more about our Internal Medicine Service here.

More Reading:

Corie Fitschen, DVM, DACVIM, Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota, veterinary internist, board-certified veterinarian, Twin Cities specialty vet, Internal Medicine

Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota, Fast Track Triage, color-coded triage system, pet emergency, Twin Cities emergency vet, Minnesota emergency vet, Saint Paul emergency vet, Oakdale emergency vet

 

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