Endocrine Tumours
Tumours of hormone-producing glands including thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary.
What is Endocrine Tumours?
Endocrine tumours can be 'functional' (secreting excess hormone) or 'non-functional' (causing signs only through local compression or growth). Common examples include thyroid carcinoma, adrenal tumours causing Cushing's, pituitary adenomas, and insulinoma of the pancreas.
Common signs and symptoms
Signs vary between dogs and can be subtle at first. Watch for the following, especially if several appear together or persist for more than a few days:
- Thyroid: palpable neck mass, sometimes hyperthyroidism signs
- Adrenal: signs of Cushing's disease, or a palpable abdominal mass
- Insulinoma: episodes of weakness, tremors, or seizures (low blood sugar), often after exercise or fasting
- Pituitary: Cushing's signs plus neurological signs if the tumour enlarges
Risk factors
Certain dogs are more predisposed. Understanding risk helps you screen earlier and act sooner.
- Middle-aged to senior dogs
- Beagle, Boxer, Golden Retriever (thyroid)
- Poodle, Dachshund (pituitary)
When to see a vet
Use this as general triage guidance, not a substitute for veterinary advice.
- Book a routine appointment if: unexplained hormone abnormalities on wellness bloodwork, or a firm neck lump.
- Seek urgent care if: seizures or collapse, especially if paired with low blood sugar readings.
Diagnosis and management
Workup includes hormone testing, ultrasound or CT, and sometimes biopsy. Surgery is often the best option for adrenal and mobile thyroid tumours. Medical management with drugs like trilostane, mitotane, or diazoxide is used depending on the tumour type.