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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Am Vet Med Assoc / Hemithyroidectomy in a horse with confirmed hyperthyroidism.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association2000; 217(7); 1051-1009; doi: 10.2460/javma.2000.217.1051

Hemithyroidectomy in a horse with confirmed hyperthyroidism.

Abstract: A 23-year-old Quarter Horse gelding was admitted to the hospital because of cachexia and hyperactive behavior of 1 year's duration. At admission the horse was severely emaciated, tachycardic with a grade V/VI diastolic murmur, pyrexic, polydipsic, enophthalmic, and alopecic. The right lobe of the thyroid gland was noticeably larger than typical. The horse was also hyperexcitable and had a ravenous appetite. A presumptive diagnosis of hyperthyroidism was made on the basis of clinical signs and high plasma thyroid hormone concentrations. Confirmation of the diagnosis was made on the basis of results of a triiodothyronine-suppression test. Following endocrine testing, the affected portion of the thyroid gland was removed and identified histologically as an adenoma. Return or plasma thyroid hormone concentrations to reference range values and resolution of the clinical signs of disease following hemithyroidectomy provided further conformation of the diagnosis. On the basis of finding in this horse, it appears that horses with hyperthyroidism may be successfully treated by hemithyroidectomy.
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Publication Date: 2000-10-06 PubMed ID: 11019715DOI: 10.2460/javma.2000.217.1051Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research focuses on the successful treatment of a 23-year-old Quarter Horse diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. The hyperactivity was treated through hemithyroidectomy (partial removal of the thyroid gland).

Background

A Quarter Horse gelding, characterized by cachexia (wasting syndrome) and heightened activity for a year, was brought to the hospital. The horse’s symptoms included severe emaciation, fast heart rate, a pronounced diastolic murmur, fever, excessive thirst, inward-bulging eyeballs, and loss of hair. The horse also exhibited hyper excitability and insatiable hunger. The right lobe of the horse’s thyroid gland was visibly enlarged. Hyperthyroidism was the presumptive diagnosis based on the clinical signs and high plasma thyroid hormone levels.

Diagnosis

The horse was confirmed with hyperthyroidism using the results from a triiodothyronine-suppression test. Triiodothyronine is a thyroid hormone; hyperthyroidism patients usually fail to show a decrease in their hormone levels during this test. Post endocrine testing the diseased part of the thyroid gland was extracted:

  • Identified histologically as an adenoma. An adenoma is a benign tumor that originates from glandular epithelium.

Treatment and Conclusion

After the hemithyroidectomy (partial removal of the thyroid gland):

  • The horse’s plasma thyroid hormone levels returned to normal range values.
  • The clinical signs of the disease resolved, confirming the initial hyperthyroidism diagnosis.

This case indicated that in horses with hyperthyroidism, hemithyroidectomy appears to be a successful treatment.

Cite This Article

APA
Alberts MK, McCann JP, Woods PR. (2000). Hemithyroidectomy in a horse with confirmed hyperthyroidism. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 217(7), 1051-1009. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2000.217.1051

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 0003-1488
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 217
Issue: 7
Pages: 1051-1009

Researcher Affiliations

Alberts, M K
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078-2041, USA.
McCann, J P
    Woods, P R

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Heart Murmurs / etiology
      • Heart Murmurs / veterinary
      • Horse Diseases / etiology
      • Horse Diseases / surgery
      • Horses
      • Hyperthyroidism / complications
      • Hyperthyroidism / surgery
      • Hyperthyroidism / veterinary
      • Male
      • Thyroidectomy / veterinary
      • Thyroxine / blood
      • Triiodothyronine / blood

      Citations

      This article has been cited 3 times.
      1. Costello J, Firshman AM, Brown JC, Maher M, Tadros EM. Response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in a horse with hyperthyroidism associated with a functional thyroid adenoma. Can Vet J 2019 Nov;60(11):1189-1193.
        pubmed: 31692666
      2. Stoeckle SD, Stage HJ, Gehlen H. Thyroid Disease in Horses-Retrospective Case Series on Patients Examined for Thyroid Disease in an Equine University Clinic (2009-2024). Vet Sci 2025 Nov 27;12(12).
        doi: 10.3390/vetsci12121127pubmed: 41472107google scholar: lookup
      3. Brown K, Williams Louie E, Pinn-Woodcock T, Pearson E, Pearson GB, Marr J, Hackett ES, Rath Brown L, Mitchell KJ. Cardiac Disease Related to Primary Hyperthyroidism in a 20-Year-Old Mule. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 1;14(11).
        doi: 10.3390/ani14111660pubmed: 38891707google scholar: lookup
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