Schmidt’s syndrome in a dog: a case report

Abstract

This report describes a clinical case and development of the polyglandular failure syndrome including hypothyroidism and hypoadrenocorticism in a 6-year-old female Black Russian Terrier. The bitch was presented because of hypothyroidism on the first occasion. Oral supplementation with sodium levothyroxine resulted in clinical improvement. Four months later, it was presented again with similar and rather vague clinical signs and diagnosed with adrenocortical deficiency both in mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid functions. Indirect immunofluorescence to investigate the presence of circulating autoantibodies against the thyroid and adrenal glands revealed only anti-thyroid antibodies (microsomal pattern) at a dilution of 1:40. Since then, the bitch has been on hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone with no adjustments necessary for a year. The combination of two endocrinopathies and the episodic course of hypoadrenocorticism made the final diagnosis difficult, posed a diagnostic challenge and required the owner’s compliance with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.