Thyroid carcinomas are relatively uncommon but serious tumours in dogs, presenting as palpable neck masses and requiring multimodal treatment to achieve the best welfare outcomes.
Thyroid tumours in dogs cause welfare harm through the mass effect of local invasion into the trachea and oesophagus, causing difficulty swallowing and breathing as the tumour grows. Hyperthyroidism from functional tumours causes weight loss, restlessness, and cardiovascular strain. Surgical removal of mobile tumours offers the best welfare outcome with curative intent in many cases. For non-resectable tumours, palliative radiation or iodine therapy provides meaningful welfare benefit by reducing tumour size and alleviating clinical signs. Early detection through palpation of the neck during routine health checks allows treatment at a more manageable stage.