MSD Manual

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Common Endocrine Diseases in Small Animals

Common Endocrine Diseases in Small Animals

Endocrine System Involved

Site of Disease Origin

Hypofunction

Hyperfunction

Adrenal

Adrenal

(primary)

Primary hypoadrenocorticism

Occasional in dogs and cats

Occasional in dogs; common in ferrets but involves secretion of excess sex steroids

Pituitary

(secondary)

Secondary hypoadrenocorticism

Low cortisol only

Very occasional in dogs and cats

Common in dogs

Thyroid

Thyroid

(primary)

Common in dogs

Very common in cats

Pituitary

(secondary)

Secondary hypothyroidism

Low TSH

Rare in dogs or cats

Secondary hyperthyroidism

High TSH

Very rare in dogs and cats

Parathyroid

Parathyroid

(primary)

Low PTH

Rare in dogs or cats

High PTH

Occasional in dogs and cats

Kidney or diet

(secondary)

Not reported

Sometimes associated with kidney disease in dogs and cats

Pancreas

Pancreas

(primary)

Low insulin

Common in dogs

High insulin

Occasional in dogs; common in ferrets

Multiple sites, including pancreas

Diabetes mellitus type II

Normal or high insulin

Common in cats

Not reported

PTH, parathyroid hormone; TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone.