Evaluation of facial paralysis with electromyography (EMG) associated with hypothyroidism in a dog

Abstract

A 7-year-old male American Cocker was referred to Istanbul University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Surgery Policlinics with imbalance, flabbiness in the left cheek muscles, increased salivation, alopecia, and hyperpigmentation. Complete blood count, blood biochemistry, and thyroid profile were recorded. Hypothyroidism and hypercholesterolemia were detected. Levothyroxine was applied orally. With regular drug therapy, thyroid hormones levels returned to normal ranges. The facial paralysis also disappeared completely, and the skin problems healed. This was the first patient with facial paralysis that originated from hypothyroidism and was diagnosed with clinical findings, laboratory methods, and electromyography in Turkey.