Merck 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)

Addison disease, loss of cortisol and aldosterone

Occasional in dogs or cats

Functional adrenal tumor

Occasional in dogs, common in ferrets but involves secretion of excessive sex steroids

Adrenal

Pituitary

(secondary)

Secondary hypoadrenocorticism

low cortisol only

Very occasional in dogs or cats

Cushing disease

Common in dogs

Thyroid

Thyroid

(primary)

Common in dogs

Hyperthyroidism

Very common in cats

Thyroid

Pituitary

(secondary)

Low TSH

Rare in dogs or cats

Secondary hyperthyroidism

High TSH

Very rare in dogs or cats

Parathyroid

Parathyroid

(primary)

Low PTH

Rare in dogs or cats

High PTH

Occasional in dogs or cats

Parathyroid

Kidney or diet

(secondary)

Not seen

Sometimes associated with kidney disease in dogs or cats

Pancreas

Pancreas

(primary)

Low insulin

Common in dogs

Insulinoma

High insulin

Occasional in dogs, common in ferrets

Pancreas

Multiple sites, including pancreas

Normal or high insulin

Common in cats

Not seen

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