Destruction of the Pituitary Gland in Dogs
Management of hypopituitarism is usually conducted on an outpatient basis. Growth hormone supplements will be administered to your dog three times weekly for 4–6 weeks, and repeated if necessary. Tumors of the pituitary gland can be surgically removed in some cases, but the prognosis is generally not favorable.
Living and Management
Your veterinarian will schedule follow-up visits in order to monitor your dog's blood and urinary glucose concentration. Growth hormone supplementation will be suspended if glucosuria (an abnormal condition of osmotic diuresis due to excretion of glucose by the kidneys) develops, or if the blood glucose is more than 150 mg/dL.
Your dog's skin and haircoat should improve within 6–8 weeks of initiating growth hormone and thyroid supplementation. Generally, in the case of low GH levels, there is no increase in stature because the growth plates have usually closed by the time a diagnosis has been made. Unfortunately, because many of the hormones that are affected by pituitary disorders are essential for the overall health, the long term prognosis for hypopituitarism is poor.
A heightened number of lymphocytic leukocytes in the blood of an animal
Part of the thalamus that helps to regulate the release of certain hormones
The gland that is found at the bottom of the brain whose job is to maintain appropriate levels of hormones in the blood
A hormone involving the secretion of milk
An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness
Low amounts of glucose in the blood
The prediction of a disease’s outcome in advance
Eliminating or the material that has actually been eliminated
Term used to refer to the front of the pituitary gland; can be found at the bottom of the brain and is responsible for the secretion of certain hormones that deal with growth and other bodily functions.
In veterinary terms, used to refer to the front of the body.
Not being able to cause harm; the opposite of malignant.
An animal’s attitude or temperament
The outermost part of the adrenal gland
The increase in the amount of urine produced
The hormones that stimulate growth of the body
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