Dog gland & hormones

Chemodectoma in dogs is a type of tumor that arises from chemoreceptor cells.

Hyperlipidemia in dogs refers to the presence of excessive amounts of fat (lipids) in the blood, including triglycerides and/or cholesterol. Hyperlipidemia can be primary (inherited, idiopathic) or secondary to something else (e.g., diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, kidney disease, certain medications).

Hyperparathyroidism in dogs refers to excessive release of parathyroid hormone from the parathyroid glands. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a major regulator of calcium levels in the bloodstream and responds to low blood calcium levels by increasing calcium release from the bones and absorption of calcium from food in the intestinal tract.

Pheochromocytomas in dogs are tumors arising from the cells of the adrenal medulla, which produce large amounts of hormones, such as epinephrine. Nearly half of all cases are asymptomatic and the tumor isn’t detected until a post-mortem examination.

Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, is a common hormonal disorder of dogs, primarily caused by low or absent levels of insulin in the bloodstream.

In a dog with Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism), the adrenal glands fail to produce stress hormones due to damage to the adrenal gland or the pituitary gland.

Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) is caused by elevated cortisol levels in the bloodstream due either a tumor on the adrenal or pituitary glands or from prolonged administration of corticosteroids.

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a very rare condition in dogs resulting in the lack of production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or a lack of response to the hormone.

Hypothyroidism is a common clinical condition in dogs resulting from reduced production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid glands.

Canine hyperthyroidism results from the excessive production of thyroid hormones due to a functional thyroid gland tumor.