Hypothyroid Disease in Dogs

The beagle is one of the many breeds that commonly have hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder in dogs. It can profoundly affect a dog's quality of life, because of the range of difficult symptoms that can result from the disease. The good news is that hypothyroidism is usually not dangerous and can be successfully treated in a fairly straightforward way. A dog receiving the appropriate treatment can experience symptom reduction and resolution and can go on to live a happy, healthy life.

Definitions

Part of the endocrine system, the dog's thyroid gland, located on the front of the neck, serves to produce various hormones that regulate metabolism. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid does not produce enough of these hormones. Root causes of hypothyroidism in dogs include immune dysfunction, lack of exercise and toxins.

Symptoms

Because the thyroid controls metabolism, the lack of thyroid hormones that occurs in hypothyroidism affects every system and organ in the body. Symptoms of hypothyroidism in a dog include lethargy, lack of alertness, weight gain, slow heart rate, skin and fur problems (including shedding), exercise intolerance, high cholesterol and behavioral issues. Because a dog cannot tell the owner what he is experiencing, it is important for the owner to closely observe the pet's behavior and symptoms.

Diagnosis

Symptoms are usually the first clue that thyroid problems might exist. At the veterinarian, some usual blood tests for diagnosing hypothyroidism include thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), T4, T3, free T4 and TSH stimulation test. The results of these tests can provide a very good indication of what is occurring with the thyroid and can help determine what treatment, if any, the dog needs.

Treatments

Treatment for hypothyroidism consists of the owner giving thyroid replacement hormone medication to the dog daily. Dosage depends on various factors, including the severity of hypothyroidism, as determined by test results. Once treatment begins, it can take several weeks for symptoms to resolve. The dog must be monitored with labwork after he starts taking medication, to assess whether he is on the proper dosage and whether dosage needs to be adjusted. For people who want to try natural treatments for their dogs' hypothyroidism, there are some that owners can give, either alone or as complements to thyroid medication. There are also various vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for the dog's thyroid, and diet plays a key role in thyroid health.

Demographics

Hypothyroidism is more likely to occur in dogs who are between the ages of 4 and 10 and in mid- to large-sized dogs. Some breeds are more likely to develop hypothyroidism, including the golden retriever, beagle, Labrador retriever, boxer, terrier, Doberman pinscher, Irish setter, miniature schnauzer, dachshund and cocker spaniel.

References

• The Dog Health Guide: Thyroid Problem in Dog
• Dog Health Handbook: Thyroid Problems in Dogs
• The Dog Health Guide: Canine Hypothyroidism Treatment
• Natural Dog Health Remedies: Dog Hypothyroidism

Resources

• Pet Education: Thyroid Diseases: Hypothyroidism in Dogs