Counter Surfers Unlimited
Labsr4U Pawsitive Advice
Hypothyroidism
The following article was composed by Rachel Peoples, DVM
The thyroid gland produces a hormone
called thyroxine which is responsible for regulating the level of
metabolism in the body Dogs, in particular older large breed dogs,
commonly develop a condition in which too little thyroxine is made and
released by the thyroid gland As a result, dogs develop a very low
metabolism.
Common signs are inactivity, reduced appetite yet still gaining weight,
hair loss along the sides of the body and tail, constantly seeking out
sunny and other warm spots, recurrent ear infections and/or skin
infections, demodex mange, low libido in breeding males, and failure to
come into heat and/or infertility in bitches Less common signs include
laryngeal paralysis, megaesophagus with associated regurgitation and
aspiration pneumonia, and generalized nerve or muscle disease There have
been conflicting reports as to behavior changes -- usually from
non-aggressive to aggressive -- in hypothyroid dogs Any dog that is
having signs of immune suppression (recurrent ear/skin infections,
demodex mange, etc), reproductive inadequacies, laryngeal paralysis,
hair loss on the tail and sides, weight loss with lower appetite,
changes in behavior or activity, or megaesophagus needs to be checked
for hypothyroidism Many veterinarians feel that hypothyroidism is
overdiagnosed but in my opinion it is often misdiagnosed -- either as
hypothyroid when it isn't or more commonly as some other disease when it
is actually hypothyroid.
Diagnosis is based on a blood test for levels of the thyroid hormone
Many factors can influence this level including stress Often stressed
animals will have normal thyroid hormone levels (normal within the range
of all dogs) even when they are, in actuality, hypothyroid for their
body If a dog is showing typical signs and its tests reveal low or low
normal thyroid hormone levels it is appropriate to try the thyroid
hormone supplementation to see if the signs resolve.
Treatment is supplementation of the thyroid hormone. One has to be
careful not to oversupplement else the dog will develop signs of
HYPERthyroidism with weight loss, increased appetite, nervousness,
hyperactivity, and a host of other complications Older spayed females
seem to be the most predisposed to developing hypothyroidism.
All text and graphics are Copyright © by LabsR4U. Please do not copy any text or graphics without permission.
