Congenital hypothyroidism and concurrent renal insufficiency in a kitten

• Published in: Journal of the South African Veterinary Association Vol. 85; no. 1; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: Lim, Chee Kin, Rosa, Chantal T., Schoeman, Johan P., De Witt, Yolanda
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: South Africa AOSIS 2014; African Online Scientific Information Systems (Pty) Ltd t/a AOSIS; AOSIS (Pty) Ltd
• Subjects: Animals; Azotemia - diagnosis; Azotemia - veterinary; Care and treatment; Case studies; Cat Diseases - congenital; Cat Diseases - diagnosis; Cat Diseases - drug therapy; Cats; Congenital Hypothyroidism - complications; Congenital Hypothyroidism - diagnosis; Congenital Hypothyroidism - drug therapy; Congenital Hypothyroidism - veterinary; Diagnosis; Diseases; Dwarfism - diagnosis; Dwarfism - veterinary; Genetic disorders; Hypothyroidism; Kidney failure; Male; Thyroxine - administration & dosage; Thyroxine - therapeutic use; South Africa
• ISSN: 1019-9128; 2224-9435
• DOI: 10.4102/jsava.v85i1.1144

A 3-month-old male domestic short-hair kitten was presented with chronic constipation and disproportionate dwarfism. Radiographs of the long bones and spine revealed delayed epiphyseal ossification and epiphyseal dysgenesis. Diagnosis of congenital primary hypothyroidism was confirmed by low serum total thyroxine and high thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations. Appropriate supplementation of levothyroxine was instituted. The kitten subsequently developed mild renal azotaemia and renal proteinuria, possibly as a consequence of treatment or an unmasked congenital renal developmental abnormality. Early recognition, diagnosis and treatment are vital as alleviation of clinical signs may depend on the cat's age at the time of diagnosis.