Canine Hypothyroidism: Causes And Treatment
Canine hypothyroidism is a disease that causes malfunction of the thyroid glands. These glands are located on either side of the dog’s trachea.
The thyroid gland produces hormones called thyroids. An important fact that almost everyone is unaware of is that there are two parts of thyroid hormone: T3 and T4.
T3 is the active part and is mainly produced by the thyroid gland. The rest is produced by the other tissues in the body. On the other hand, T4 is the inactive part of the hormone: it is responsible for circulating in the bloodstream. The moment T4 is assimilated by tissues, it becomes T3.
T4 is produced by the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain. This gland produces a hormone called HET, which is responsible for stimulating the thyroid to produce more T4.
Thyroid hormone is responsible for controlling the metabolism of your dog’s organs and systems. Furthermore, it also stimulates the development, growth and maturation of the central nervous system.
Hypothyroidism can be considered a relatively normal hormonal imbalance in dogs. However, insufficient production of thyroid hormone is not something to be taken lightly.
All dogs can develop hypothyroidism, but it is more common in the elderly or middle-aged. Among the breeds most likely to develop hypothyroidism are: miniature schnauzer, dachshund, golden retriever and doberman.
Causes and Symptoms of Canine Hypothyroidism
There are numerous reasons why your dog may develop hypothyroidism. The three most common reasons are: because of a tumor, because of the immune system, or because of a diet low in iodine.
Your dog may have a tumor, but it’s not always malignant. In almost all cases of thyroid gland problems due to a tumor, it is usually a sebaceous tumor.
This sebaceous cyst or tumor can be removed with a quick and easy surgical operation. Sometimes, if the tumor has invaded the gland, it is also necessary to remove all or part of it.
The immune system can also play against your dog’s health. When the thyroid gland is attacked by the immune system, it overworks. Therefore, the gland becomes depleted and stops functioning.
Another cause of this disease can be a diet that is too low in iodine. The thyroid gland uses iodine to synthesize its hormones. If your pet doesn’t get enough iodine, your thyroid will be unable to fulfill its mission.
In addition to the above, your dog may acquire this disease due to a genetic condition, a gland atrophy or even as a side effect of another medication he is taking.
But you shouldn’t worry too much. If detected early, canine hypothyroidism can be treated and your dog will have an absolutely normal quality of life.
In addition to being overweight, your dog may have several symptoms, such as: hair loss, listlessness, anemia, high cholesterol levels and lack of balance.
Another symptom may be tissue thickening in areas such as the head and intolerance to low temperatures. Also, a dog can have eye and nervous system problems.
Canine Hypothyroidism Treatment
First, it is extremely important to make sure your pet is suffering from hypothyroidism. Dogs are often misdiagnosed. Get a blood test done before administering any medication.
Treating canine hypothyroidism is not complicated. In most cases, your veterinarian will prescribe thyroid hormone treatment to compensate for your deficiency.
The dose of this drug, called thyroxine, is decided exclusively by the veterinarian. The dose of medicine will be determined depending on your dog’s size, weight and degree of development of the disease.
When hypothyroidism is not caused by an autoimmune condition, treatment involves stimulating the thyroid tissue to function properly again.
Over time, the starting dose may be more or less high. Both cases are harmful to your dog’s health. If he does not take the proper dose of medication, he will not receive the correct treatment, so he will not get better, and this can be dangerous.
If, on the other hand, your dog is suffering from hypothyroidism due to a tumor or cyst, surgical removal is necessary. After removing the tumor, your dog’s gland will work normally again.
It’s not just the drugs
In addition to operating or administering the proper medication, there are other precautions that must be taken into account. You should be aware that food plays a critical role in your pet’s quality of life.
Therefore, implement a diet based on iodine and tyrosine intake. Tyrosine is a very important amino acid for your pet’s metabolism and even mood.
You should also try to get your dog to eat as little processed or chemical food as possible. The more natural, the easier it will be for your body to metabolize food.
On top of this, it is recommended that he have blood tests periodically. This is a very important measure, especially if he is taking medications for the long term.
Unfortunately, hypothyroidism cannot be avoided. In short, the only thing you can do is to feed the animal as naturally as possible and take it to the vet regularly from a puppy.
