Goiter in dogs

Re: Goiter in dogs

Richard Fox — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 20:11:28 GMT

Thanks for the update. I didn't read you OP properly sorry. Bilateral structures would therefore not likely be thyroid carcinomas. I can't rule out thyroid problem but would seem unlikely. Wait for the T4 I guess but lymphocytic thyroidiits I feel would not give you markedly enlarged lnn? and also again in a young dog hypothyroidism would be unusual. I can only think bilateral symmetric firm s/c nodules are lnn? We shall see :) You are right that bilateral thyroglossal duct cysts prob would fluctuate and be softish.

Re: Goiter in dogs

Helga Bergholtz — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 18:05:37 GMT

Here's an update from Norway. Thank you for all the feedback, I just love this forum!

The laboratory didn't have the time to check my FNABs today unfortunately So we we'll have to wait until monday for those answers. The bloodsamples were also not done today because my nurse accidentaly made serum of the EDTA-blood, and threw out the serum. Not a good idea... The dog came in today for a new bloodsample, and the tumor is the same size (it had prednisolon and amoxicillin yesterday).

I'll try to answer your questions. The tumor is bilateral, the aspirate was mostly blood, it was difficult not obtaining blood when aspirating, but it is not fluctuant as a cyst would be, it seems to be hard all the way through. Wouldn't thyroglossal or brancial cysts be fluctuant? The tumor is located superficially in the sense that the the dog has no problems eating or breathing, and inspection of the mouth/larynx is normal. The skin i freely moved over the tumor, it is a small oedema subcutanously. The x-rays don't show any misplacement of structures in the larynx-area as far as I can see. I looked at one of the aspirates, and I could mostly see erytrocytes. I could not see any leukocytes which makes me think that it is not an infection from a foreign body. The dog is actually chews sticks a lot, but nothing in the history points to this. The dog was fine a week ago, and the tumor was first seen in the weekend, so it has developed very quickly (if what the owner says is true...).

I have seen av few dogs with thyroid carcinoma, all of them were old dogs. The thyroid in these cases doesn't seem so smooth and symmetrical as this one. As far as I know 75% of thyroid tumor are non functional, so the T4 would be normal so that wouldn't be of any help maybe. In one case the dog was actually operated (it was my boss's dog). It was done in another hospital because of the difficult placement of the tumor. They had to tie off the jugular vein first and still it was a very bloody affair... I'm very happy we didn't try that here...

I'll write you an update when I have more results.

Re: Goiter in dogs

Richard Fox — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 09:23:28 GMT

Sorry but can I add "a thyroid carcinoma in a 2 year old dog"? The mean age of thyroid carcinomas in dogs is 9. I must admit I have never had a biopsy of a dog with a thyroid tumour in a 2 year old dog. I looked up in our records of we have 1 thyroid carcinoma in a 1 year old setter out of 483 with a definitive diagnosis (not including equivocal diagnoses). I never say never but in my opinion look for common causes first. A branchial/thyroglossal cyst or a would seem likely as I and others have mentioned above as well as a lnn. Where in the tissue is the lesion - it sounds deep and non-inflammatory from what you describe?

Re: Goiter in dogs

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 08:56:46 GMT

No need to worry about your English Helga; it is better than most of the population of Britian! I agree with the general concensus, benign hyperthyroidism is almost unheard of in dogs and it is most likely to be a thyroid tumour which tend to be rather aggressive in dogs. Your investigative procedures should confirm or not. One word of warning though, excision of a thyroid tumour in a dog can be surgically challenging due to a rather complex blood supply and unless you're a very competant surgeon it may be best referred to someone who is.

Re: Goiter in dogs

Charlotte Marshall — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:55:57 GMT

I had a springer spaniel once with a thyroid gland tumour which was functional. It came in displaying classic hyperthyroidism - hyperactive, weight loss, tachycardia and large lump in the neck. I removed it and it came away well just like a cats. The lab would not commit themselves as to whether it was malignant or not just said assume it is! I can't remember how old the dog was but I do know it survived for a year or two post surgery before being put to sleep for sudden onset dyspnoea which could have been metastasis but no investigation was done.

Re: Goiter in dogs

Vikki Halliday LLB — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:40:59 GMT

I have seen something similar in an otherwise well golden retriever, that was eventually diagnosed as a thyroid adenocarcinoma, although there was no elevation of T4, either total or free,

From memory, the dog was eventually euthanased due to the pressure on the trachea causing dyspnoea.

Re: Goiter in dogs

Andre Escudeiro-Vieites — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 20:01:00 GMT

I Had a Rhodesian Ridgeback, 8yo, with a lump in the same area. FNA and Dx as a thyroid tumour, although pathologist wouln't commit to a proper name, he did say that they are more likely malignant than not in dogs(as oposed to cats) and they normally metastatise to the lungs. Owners didn't want to do any further investigations. So, it would be interesting to see the results of your FNA and further work-up (if you can)

Re: Goiter in dogs

Rob Reid — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 18:07:05 GMT

I have seen one case of goitre in a dog which turned out to a tumour. 8 year old Retriever and there were clinical signs supporting this - weight loss and polyphagia.

My first thought on hearing this case (in view of signalment) would be foreign body reaction - does the dog chew sticks for example? I think your list of differentials is fair, probably too far caudal for a mucocoele but that would be my other thought. Keep us posted on what your tests reveal!

Re: Goiter in dogs

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:18:28 GMT

Do dogs get thyroglossal cysts? I know of two people having them removed in the last few months?

Oh and you make perfect sense!

(Arlo - can I unsuggest this as an answer? I clicked the wrong button - this is no way a suggestion of the answer! )

Re: Goiter in dogs

Richard Fox — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:09:10 GMT

Hi Helga

Goiter is likely going to be bilateral and rare with a good diet etc and primary congenital hypothyroidism is ulikely d.t. the age and lack of hypothyrodism since birth. Thyroidiits is unlikely to cause significant thyroid enlargement. Structures in that area would include accessory cervical lnn, throid gland, parathyroid gland or could be a proliferative lesion of the overlying skin (tumour etc inc lipoma) or a congenital branchial cyst (not uncommon in a young to middle aged dog). The aspirate should hopefully give you an answet - was / is it fluctuant?