Open AccessThe Effect of Levothyroxine Treatment on Resting Energy Expenditure of Hypothyroid Dogs
Author(s) -
Greco Deborah S.,
Rosychuk Rod A.W.,
Ogilvie Gregory K.,
Harpold Lynn M.,
Liew Camilla H.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1998.tb00490.x
Subject(s) - medicine , levothyroxine , endocrinology , resting energy expenditure , energy expenditure , basal metabolic rate , hormone
Thirty adult, client‐owned dogs were diagnosed with hypothyroidism based on history, physical examination findings, hematologic and biochemical abnormalities, thyrotropin (TSH) response testing, endogenous canine thyrotropin (cTSH) concentration, or both, and total serum thryoxine concentration. All dogs received levothyroxine (L‐thyroxine) at an initial dose of 22 μg/kg PO sid in either a tablet (13 dogs) or chewable form (17 dogs). Energy expenditure of each dog during apparent rest was estimated with an open‐flow indirect calorimetry system by determining the rates of carbon dioxide production and oxygen consumption. Energy expenditure of apparent rest (EE) was lower in untreated hypothyroid dogs compared with reference values for EE. After treatment with L‐thyroxine, EE of the hypothyroid dogs was significantly ( P < .05) higher than pretreatment values.