How to Diagnose Low Thyroid in Dogs

Something may not seem right with your dog but you just can't put your finger on what it is. Although it may be overwhelming, narrowing down the symptoms and finding a matching diagnosis is one step closer to getting your beloved animal healthy. There are many symptoms of low thyroid and your dog may exhibit one or all of them.

Instructions

1. Know if your dog's breed is more inclined to have a thyroid problem than other dogs. Certain breeds and larger dogs tend to be more susceptible to thyroid issues and if you happen to have one of these dogs, it can be a strong indication that the symptoms they're experiencing are directly related.

2. Examine their fur thickness. Although most dogs shed, dogs with low thyroid tend to have more hair loss than normal.

3. Monitor their activity level. You may notice that your normally ****y dog seems to be tired or listless. They may have low thyroid.

4. Watch their figure. Dogs who have low thyroid have trouble losing or maintaining a normal weight. Regardless of how much they exercise or eat, they continue to gain weight and may become overweight or obese.

5. Listen to their heart rate. Your dog has a normally fast heartbeat compared to a human, but for dog standards, a low heart rate can indicate a problem.

6. Check their cholesterol levels with your vet. High cholesterol in an otherwise healthy dog can be a sign of low thyroid.

7. Take them to their veterinarian to have blood drawn and specifically ask to have their thyroid levels checked if you suspect a problem.

Tips & Warnings

• Dogs with extremely low thyroids can have seizures. If your dog has had an unexplained seizure and has other symptoms listed above, take them to their veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment.