Canine Pituitary Gland: Resources About Syndromes In Canines

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Where is a canine pituitary gland?

The canine pituitary gland is located in the base of the brain within the skull. It is also referred to as the hypophysis and is small and oval in shape. The pituitary gland links the nervous system with the endocrine system. Its main function is to release the many hormones that affect multiple body functions. It is attached to the hypothalamus via a structure which resembles a stalk. The hypothalamus is the section of the brain which holds a number of small nuclei and manages a number of functions. Most crucially it is the connection between the nervous system and the endocrine system by means of the pituitary gland.

What Does the Canine Pituitary Glad Look Like?

The size of the pituitary gland in canines is tiny, usually no larger than the size of a pea. This of course varies between different breeds of dogs. The gland is split into two, the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The anterior lobe is situated at the front. It is also referred to as the adenohypophysis and is split into three regions. These regions are responsible for producing a range of hormones. Releasing hormones are substances that control these hormones. Tiny blood vessels are the mode of transport of these hormones through the hypothalamus. The main role of these hormones is to turn on other endocrine organs. Neurohypophysis is another name for the posterior lobe. Nerve fibers from the hypothalamus control the neurohypophysis, which has two major functions. The first function is as Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH), which is known as vasopressin and its main role is to regulate water conservation by the kidney. The other major function is Oxytocin. Oxytocin is a dominant stimulus product of the muscles of the uterus. Its main function is to induce uterine contractions and its secondary function is to aid in the milk flow as it is expressed from the alveoli and mammary ducts during suckling.

What Does the Canine Pituitary Glad Do?

Crucial to a canine’s life is the pituitary gland. Its main function is to regulate the whole endocrine system, secreting hormones which are necessary for normal growth and development, reproduction, and homeostasis. The endocrine system in a dog is distributed throughout the body. As mentioned above, the hypothalamus is found at the base of the brain, together with the pituitary gland which is attached to the hypothalamus. Below this the thyroid gland is located in the neck, under the larynx, also known as the voice box. Linked with the thyroid gland are two parathyroid glands which are also located in the neck. In front of the kidneys, in the abdominal cavity two adrenal glands are located. Also located in the abdominal cavity is the gastrointestinal tract and the pancreas. The liver is located in front of the abdomen, the ovaries in the middle part of the abdominal cavity and the testes in the scrotum.

Hormones, which are produced by the lobes of the pituitary gland, are vital and necessary. These hormones are circulated throughout the body and respond to the needs of the dog. One such hormone is the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH is responsible for the adrenal gland creating cortisol, otherwise known as cortisone. Cortisol is another vital hormone as it is produced in reaction to low levels of blood glucocorticoids or stress. The structural location of the gland is very important and the way in which the glandular and nervous segments interrelate is key to the nervous and endocrine systems.

Canine Pituitary Issues

Pituitary dwarfism syndrome: in dogs occurs when young dogs suffer from deficiencies in the amount of growth hormone, or GH, secreted by the pituitary gland. Dwarfism can be an inherited condition, but it can also happen when the pituitary gland fails to develop properly or when it’s damaged by disease. Here’s what you should know about canine pituitary dwarfism syndrome.

In Cushing’s Disease: The feedback loop has gone awry in Cushing’s disease for one of three reasons: a pituitary tumor, an adrenal tumor, or veterinary interference. The result is a chronic excess of blood cortisol. In effect, the dog is being poisoned with too much cortisol and cannot rely on its own feedback mechanism to regulate the blood cortisol level.

Canine Addison’s Disease: Addison’s causes a drop in cortisol production, lower sodium level and as a result lower blood pressure. Unfortunately it also triggers over production of potassium which doesn’t allow the heart to pump harder to make up for the blood pressure drop. If this isn’t corrected a deadly condition called Addisonian crisis can set in.

Resources about the Canine Pituitary Gland

Radiation therapy for pituitary tumors in the dog and cat. By Monique N. Mayer and Philip L. Treuil

Veterinary Teaching Hospital North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine information about Brain Tumors in Dogs and Cats.

New Surgical Technology First Tested in Humans at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is Giving Fido a Second Chance Too

Resource by T.Price

I am a mom of 2 boys who loves to spend time with them doing fun things outdoors. In my spare time I have my own things I enjoy doing such as gardening, reading old books, and being a closet history buff.

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