Research Communications of the 27(th) ECVIM-CA Congress: Intercontinental, Saint Julian's, Malta, 14th to 16th September 2017

A scholarship from the Foundation of Elsa Paulssons memorial fund was granted to finance a part of the costs of this study. Dr Hanson has received European Society Endocrinology/Dechra Veterinary Products travel grant for researchers in veterinary endocrinology, and financial support from the Foundation for Research, Agria Insurance Company, the Swedish Research Council, and Thure F and Karin Forsbergs Stiftelse. Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrinopathies in dogs. The diagnosis of hypothyroidism relies upon measurement of basal plasma concentrations of total thyroxine (T 4 ) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). A low plasma T 4 combined with a high plasma TSH points to primary hypothyroidism. However, 30-38% of hypothyroid dogs have TSH values within the reference range. Consequently, a low plasma total T 4 concentration in combination with a plasma TSH concentration within the reference range does not distinguish between dogs with hypothyroidism and dogs with non-thyroidal illness (NTI). A potential interesting observation from previous studies (Lee et al; 2001, and Diaz-Espiñeira et al; 2008) is that hypothyroidism in dogs is associated with increased release of growth hormone (GH).