What are the symptoms of Hypothyroidism in Dogs?
Posted on March 1st, 2010 by admin
Is it hereditary or do dogs just catch it somehow?
My dog Duke is always scratching at his legs and stomach and on his legs. His legs look patchy with dark skin and light skin. Same with his belly. I have looked up Hypothyroid for dogs before but he only had some of the symptoms.
Can he only have some of the symptoms and still have it?
He has the alopecia and hyper pigmentation on his legs and on his stomach.
Maybe he has just that! But how would I treat that?
Or it could be Red Mange which he had when he was a Puppy.
There is increasing evidence to suggest that hypothyroidism has a genetic component — many breed Parent Clubs are now recommending that their members get thyroid testing done on their breeding dogs.
In fact, for the past 5-6 years, I’ve been testing my dogs.
There is also evidence to suggest that environmental factors play a role; The chemicals in dog food, in our homes, pollution in the air, etc. all have an affect on the immune system, and it does have a long-term impact on the animal.
Symptoms — Losing coat in patches that don’t regrow, dry coat/skin, or very oily coat; dandruff; lethargic behavior; abnormal weight gain; sometimes even abnormally aggressive behavior can be a sign of a thyroid problem.
In my experience, you see it in the quality of the coat before anything else.
ADD: Yes, he could be hypothyroid without showing every symptom. The only way you are going to know for sure is to have his thyroid tested (blood draw).
Dry skin and alopecia can be a symptom of several things, including allergies, hormone issues, etc. The way you treat it really depends on the cause.
I think a blood panel at your vet may be in order!
March 1st, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Hypothyroidism is not something a dog can catch. It is inherited.
Sign are. oily fur, dry skin, weight gain, fur loss, lack of energy. sometimes aggressiveness. One of my dogs also had a slight sagging in her left half of her face. I thought she had a stroke. Nope it was her thyroid.
References :
March 1st, 2010 at 6:31 pm
It is considered to have a familial hereditary basis in dogs. Here is some information on the disease:
http://www.offa.org/thygeninfo.html
http://www.newmanveterinary.com/Hypothyroid.html
References :
March 1st, 2010 at 6:45 pm
There is increasing evidence to suggest that hypothyroidism has a genetic component — many breed Parent Clubs are now recommending that their members get thyroid testing done on their breeding dogs.
In fact, for the past 5-6 years, I’ve been testing my dogs.
There is also evidence to suggest that environmental factors play a role; The chemicals in dog food, in our homes, pollution in the air, etc. all have an affect on the immune system, and it does have a long-term impact on the animal.
Symptoms — Losing coat in patches that don’t regrow, dry coat/skin, or very oily coat; dandruff; lethargic behavior; abnormal weight gain; sometimes even abnormally aggressive behavior can be a sign of a thyroid problem.
In my experience, you see it in the quality of the coat before anything else.
ADD: Yes, he could be hypothyroid without showing every symptom. The only way you are going to know for sure is to have his thyroid tested (blood draw).
Dry skin and alopecia can be a symptom of several things, including allergies, hormone issues, etc. The way you treat it really depends on the cause.
I think a blood panel at your vet may be in order!
References :
March 1st, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Same as a person sleeping all the time, gaining weight, cold, not thinking properly and reactions are just not there.
It is not hereditary and it is not catchy it just happens.
All it takes is medication 1 pill a day.
Call your Vet.
References :