Congenital hypothyroidism

Case contributed by Allison L Zwingenberger

Diagnosis certain

Citation, DOI, disclosures and case data

Citation:

Zwingenberger A, Congenital hypothyroidism. Case study, Vetlucent.com (Accessed on 18 Jan 2026) https://vetlucent.com/cases/74531

DOI:

Permalink:

https://vetlucent.com/cases/74531

vID:

74531

Disclosures:

At the time the case was submitted for publication Allison L Zwingenberger had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Allison L Zwingenberger's current disclosures

Case published:

1 Apr 2025

Revisions:

2 times, by 2 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Musculoskeletal

Institution:

University of California, Davis

Quiz mode:

Included

Presentation

Presents with history of lethargy, stunted growth, and an abnormal gait.

Patient Data

Age: 1 year

Gender: Female

Category: Domestic cat

Organism: Domestic shorthaired cat

Spine

From the case: Congenital hypothyroidism

x-ray

A poorly-positioned whole body, lateral radiograph is available for review. The patient was fractious. There are multiple open physes with poor mineralization of the epiphyses of the long bones. The vertebral endplates are shortened and malformed. The liver is enlarged and rounded.

Case Discussion

The skeletal abnormalities are consistent with congenital hypothyroidism.

thyroxine-t4 * <0.3 (1.1-3.9 UG/DL)
FT4, 2 STEP 0.13 (0.52-1.93 NG/DL)

These changes are indicative of a congenital, developmental or metabolic disease, resulting in underdevelopment of the skeleton and epiphyseal dysplasia, with possible involvement of the abdominal organs.

Differential diagnoses include:

mucopolysaccharoidosis
congenital hypothyroidism
pituitary dwarfism.

Congenital hypothyroidism

Citation, DOI, disclosures and case data

Presentation

Patient Data

Spine

Case Discussion

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