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Client Library Article
CANINE HYPOTHYROIDISM
| Canine Hypothyroidism-
a common endocrine disorder |
| The thyroid gland is a small gland located under the skin
at the center of the neck and is responsible for thyroid hormone production.
A gland in the brain (pituitary) signals the thyroid gland to produce and
release thyroid hormone into the blood stream which in turn regulates
cellular metabolism and function throughout the body. Large and
giant breed dogs are more susceptible to developing a condition called
hypothyroidism where there is not enough thyroid hormone produced or
released from the gland leading to abnormal body metabolism.
Hypothyroidism can be a debilitating disease if not treated. When
treated, dogs can live a normal and healthy life. |
| Symptoms |
- Lethargy & exercise intolerance
- Weight gain / obesity
- Loss of hair on trunk (but not head or legs)
- Oily skin or dry dull hair coat
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| Diagnosis |
| Hypothyroidism is diagnosed by blood work. Many
veterinarians choose to run a thyroid panel which measures quantities of
different metabolic forms of thyroid hormone. Low values confirm
hypothyroidism. Other veterinarians use a blood test called an TSH or thyroid
stimulation test where the dog is administered a drug that stimulates the
thyroid gland and thyroid hormone levels are measured. Blood samples are taken
just prior to TSH administration, and again after six hours. Normal dogs will
have a high level of thyroid hormone after 6 hours, hypothyroid dogs will
continue to have a very low blood level of thyroid hormone. Some people elect
to treat based on clinical sign alone without confirmation via TSH stimulation
test, but this is not recommended. |
| Treatment- for life! |
| Therapy consists of twice daily oral supplementation with
Levothyroxine.
Thyroid levels should be monitored every 6-8 months to ensure that the
dog's thyroid supplementation does not need to be adjusted. |
| Prognosis- Excellent |
| Although therapy is life long, with proper thyroid
supplementation, all clinical signs are reversible. |
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