Hypothyroidism
Food is converted into energy through a variety of metabolic processes. The thyroid gland produces the hormones responsible for metabolic function. When hormone production is disrupted and too few thyroid hormones are produced, dogs can experience lethargy, hair loss and cold intolerance. This is a relatively common problem in dogs.
Most affected dogs show some degree of mental dullness, reluctance to exercise, intolerance to cold, and weight gain. Other signs include greasy skin, dandruff, pimples, brittle coat, skin thickening on the face and forehead, and chronic ear infections. Hair loss is usually seen on the dog’s back and/or around his tail, which owners describe as a “rat-tailed” look. It may involve only hair thinning or excessive shedding, but usually without itchiness. Muscles, heart, digestion and the reproductive system may also be affected. However, signs can often be subtle, so it’s worth having the dog checked by a vet if several of these symptoms appear.
It isn’t difficult to diagnose thyroid disease, although many blood tests fail to include the complete panel and the disease may remain incorrectly undiagnosed. It is worth ensuring that your vet’s laboratory includes T3, T4, and TSH or TRH stimulation tests.
Food is converted into energy through a variety of metabolic processes. The thyroid gland produces the hormones responsible for metabolic function. When hormone production is disrupted and too few thyroid hormones are produced, dogs can experience lethargy, hair loss and cold intolerance. This is a relatively common problem in dogs.
Most affected dogs show some degree of mental dullness, reluctance to exercise, intolerance to cold, and weight gain. Other signs include greasy skin, dandruff, pimples, brittle coat, skin thickening on the face and forehead, and chronic ear infections. Hair loss is usually seen on the dog’s back and/or around his tail, which owners describe as a “rat-tailed” look. It may involve only hair thinning or excessive shedding, but usually without itchiness. Muscles, heart, digestion and the reproductive system may also be affected. However, signs can often be subtle, so it’s worth having the dog checked by a vet if several of these symptoms appear.
It isn’t difficult to diagnose thyroid disease, although many blood tests fail to include the complete panel and the disease may remain incorrectly undiagnosed. It is worth ensuring that your vet’s laboratory includes T3, T4, and TSH or TRH stimulation tests.
Canine Hypothyroidism: Some say it’s over-diagnosed; others say it’s under-diagnosed
The following dis-eases or behaviours in a dog are all symptoms of thyroid disease:
Quite frequently, the symptoms will be treated by vets or behaviourists, but the underlying cause is often overlooked.
Hypothyroidism is a disorder of the thyroid gland located in the neck. This gland regulates the metabolic rate. In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland is under active, and unable to secrete enough thyroid hormone. This decreases a dog’s metabolism.
Most cases of hypothyroidism stem from the dog’s own immune system attacking the tissues of the thyroid gland. This condition is called autoimmune thyroiditis. While there is a genetic predisposition for thyroid disorders, environmental factors such as vaccines, pollutants and genetic predisposition also play a role. Thyroid disease is inheritable, and it is advised that dogs with thyroid disease should not be bred from.
Hypothyroidism is initially diagnosed by its symptoms, followed by a blood test to measure thyroid hormones. In the UK, T4 is normally measured, which can mean that dogs with thyroid disease will seem to be clear. Dr Jean Dodds in America, and some vets in the UK, also measure T3 levels for a more definitive picture.
Hypothyroidism is treated conventionally with a daily dose of synthetic thyroid hormone. Thyroid disease can also be treated homeopathically. Our own dog, Chappie, was given homeopathic Iodum 30c for a month, after which blood tests revealed normal thyroid levels.
Treatment should effectively halt all symptoms of the disease.
The following dis-eases or behaviours in a dog are all symptoms of thyroid disease:
- Lethargic behaviour such as a lack of interest in play, frequent napping, tiring out on long walks
- Weight gain, sometimes without an apparent gain in appetite
- Bacterial infections of the skin
- Dry skin
- Hair loss, especially on the trunk or tail (“rat’s tail”)
- Discoloration or thickening of the skin where hair loss has occurred
- Cold intolerance/seeking out warm places to lie down
- Slow heart rate
- Chronic ear infections
- Severe behavioural changes such as unprovoked aggression, head tilt, seizures, anxiety and/or compulsivity
- Depression
- ‘Humping’
Quite frequently, the symptoms will be treated by vets or behaviourists, but the underlying cause is often overlooked.
Hypothyroidism is a disorder of the thyroid gland located in the neck. This gland regulates the metabolic rate. In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland is under active, and unable to secrete enough thyroid hormone. This decreases a dog’s metabolism.
Most cases of hypothyroidism stem from the dog’s own immune system attacking the tissues of the thyroid gland. This condition is called autoimmune thyroiditis. While there is a genetic predisposition for thyroid disorders, environmental factors such as vaccines, pollutants and genetic predisposition also play a role. Thyroid disease is inheritable, and it is advised that dogs with thyroid disease should not be bred from.
Hypothyroidism is initially diagnosed by its symptoms, followed by a blood test to measure thyroid hormones. In the UK, T4 is normally measured, which can mean that dogs with thyroid disease will seem to be clear. Dr Jean Dodds in America, and some vets in the UK, also measure T3 levels for a more definitive picture.
Hypothyroidism is treated conventionally with a daily dose of synthetic thyroid hormone. Thyroid disease can also be treated homeopathically. Our own dog, Chappie, was given homeopathic Iodum 30c for a month, after which blood tests revealed normal thyroid levels.
Treatment should effectively halt all symptoms of the disease.
Thyroid disease is an autoimmune disease that can be caused by vaccines, where the dog’s own immune system sees its own thyroid tissues as invaders and attacks them. It can also be caused by dietary iodine deficiency, cancer, and pituitary disease. Once it exists, it can be passed down the line to subsequent dogs.
As with humans, blood tests for thyroid disease can appear normal, even if the individual is experiencing many of the symptoms. Some doctors and vets will give thyroid replacement therapy, and the dog (and human) will respond very quickly with increased activity levels and alertness. Other symptoms will take a little longer to resolve.
Once hypothyroidism is diagnosed by a veterinarian, it can be treated fairly easily, although treatment must continue for the dog’s lifetime. Successful treatment entails maintaining the correct thyroxine levels in the dog’s blood.
Homeopathy has been known to treat hypothyroidism successfully. Acupuncture is also effective for thyroid disease.
The American pathology lab Hemopet (see www.hemopet.org), run by the world-renowned vet and researcher Jean Dodds, conducts a full thyroid panel, which often catches cases of thyroid disease in dogs that are overlooked elsewhere (because they don’t do a full panel). If you are a CHC member and would like guidance on shipping serum to Dr Dodds, we would be happy to give you our time and experience – please feel free to contact us.
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