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Is your dog losing its hair or biting and licking himself more than usual? It could be allergies, or it could be a Thyroid Hormone Deficiency!
What Does the Thyroid Do?
The thyroid gland is essential in both humans and dogs, as it produces several hormones that are required for regular metabolism in the body.
How Do I Know If My Dog Is Suffering from a Thyroid Hormone Deficiency?
There are several ways to tell if your dog is suffering from a thyroid hormone deficiency. If you notice your dog is more lethargic than usual, inactive, or seems weak, you should get your dog to your vet. Other signs are poor hair growth, alopecia, intolerance to cold weather, tilting of one side of the head, and, in extreme cases, seizures and infertility. Your dog’s coat may appear to be darker in color, thicker and flaky. Consult your vet if you see these signs.
What Causes Thyroid Hormone Deficiency?
Unfortunately, no one really knows. It could be a number of things, from cancer to a congenital disease, iodine deficiency, or even an effect of surgery or a medical treatment.
Are Some Breeds More Prone to This Than Others?
Yes. The breeds most commonly diagnosed with thyroid hormone deficiency are Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers and Greyhounds (in that order of frequency). This deficiency is less common in smaller dogs, such as small terriers and other toy breeds.
I Think My Dog Has the Symptoms of Thyroid Hormone Deficiency— Now What Do I Do?
Your vet will want to be certain that your dog is suffering from this deficiency, and therefore your vet will want to perform a thorough examination of your dog.
You will need to provide your vet with a very specific background history. Any information on your dog’s medical history will be helpful to your veterinarian.
According to PetMD.com, your vet will need to perform routine laboratory testing, which will include a complete blood count, biochemistry profile, and urinalysis. Plus they will probably also recommend endocrine testing.
My Vet Has Determined That My Dog Has Thyroid Hormone Deficiency. What Are My Treatment Options?
The good news is there are several effective treatment options for thyroid hormone deficiency. Many of these treatments are life-long. Much of the time, your vet will recommend giving your dog synthetic hormones to make up for the thyroid’s inability to produce hormones organically.
You will be required to visit your vet often to ensure that your dog’s medication is still working the way that it should. Expect your vet to make minor adjustments to your dog’s medication.
You should be sure to provide a soft bed for your dog, and be mindful of how much food you are feeding her. If you dog is overweight, this puts stress on her joints thereby exacerbating the pain she may already feel. Make sure that you consult your vet about how much food you should be feeding your dog, and if you should be avoiding any ingredients such as corn or certain grains, which could potentially increase the severity of your dog’s condition.
While it may be emotionally difficult for you to hear that your beloved pet is suffering from a deficiency that will affect her for the rest of her life, you can rest assured that this deficiency is not life threatening.
It is also easy and often inexpensive to treat. A simple oral medication given to your dog each day is all that is required to treat a thyroid hormone deficiency.
Sources:
https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/endocrine/c_dg_hypothyroidism?page=show
https://www.2ndchance.info/doghypothyroid.htm
