How to Treat Endocrine Disease in a Dog

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By G. Wallace-Taylor
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Does your dog have endocrine disease?

Your dog’s endocrine glands, located in various parts of his body, produce the needed amount of hormones to keep him active and healthy when they are functioning correctly. When an endocrine gland malfunctions, it can cause a number of problems in your pooch. Learn to identify the symptoms of endocrine disease in your dog in order to provide him with the correct treatment.

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Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Schedule your dog for radiation treatments if thyroid tumors are the cause of her hypothyroidism. Your veterinarian will check for an enlarged thyroid and then order blood and biopsy tests to determine if the tumor is benign or cancerous. Thyroid cancer is rare in a dog. Your vet may prescribe iodine supplements for thyroid problems that are not cancerous.
Step 2

Treat your dog for Cushing’s disease, another endocrine disorder, with symptoms that include excess water consumption, over-eating, a bloated stomach and muscle weakness. Depending upon the severity of the disease, your veterinarian may prescribe a serious of corticosteroid treatments.
Step 3

Prepare your dog for surgery to remove insulinomas, small tumors on the pancreas that are often malignant, allowing your dog to function for a couple of years before the tumors return. Your vet may additionally prescribe medication to control this cancer and give your dog an active, happy life.
Step 4

Administer insulin injections to a dog with diabetes, just as you would for a human. Symptoms of canine diabetes include urinary accidents in the house and excessive water consumption. Providing lots of water at all times may control the disease. Alternately, follow your veterinarian’s advice for administering injections.