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Published on: April 17, 2013
Cystic ectopic lingual thyroid tissue in a male cat
Travis P Reed1, Brigitte A Brisson, Leah K Schutt
1Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada. travispreed@gmail.com
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|October 4, 2011
Summary
This report details the first documented case of ectopic thyroid tissue at the base of the tongue in a male cat. Surgical removal resolved the mass and associated drinking difficulties, with the cat remaining euthyroid.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Ectopic thyroid tissue can occur at various locations, most commonly at the base of the tongue in humans.
- This condition is rare in felines and has not been previously reported in male cats.
Observation:
- A 6-year-old male cat presented with abnormal drinking sounds and a lingual mass.
- A cystic mass at the base of the tongue was identified, measuring 1 cm in diameter.
- Blood tests, including thyroid hormone levels, were within normal ranges.
Findings:
- Histopathological examination confirmed the mass to be ectopic thyroid tissue.
- Surgical marsupialization successfully removed the mass.
- The cat remained euthyroid post-surgery with no recurrence at 8 months.
Implications:
- This case expands the known spectrum of ectopic thyroid tissue presentation in domestic animals.
- Successful surgical management in this feline highlights a potential treatment for similar conditions.
- Understanding ectopic thyroid tissue in animals may offer comparative insights into human cases.
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