A very frequent hormonal disease in our dogs, but sometimes under diagnosed it is theI hypothyroidism of the dog. Why under diagnosed? Well, because the owner often doesn’t care too much that the dog eats little, but you fatte However and cannot make him lose weight in any way.
If a dog who usually losts it makes a lot of worry, a dog that fattens is often underestimated. We justify ourselves by claiming that it is the fault of sterilization, little movement, too much food, ofdiet wrong … but if what a dog that eats little and that, despite this, fattens visibly had a form of hypothyroidism? This is why today we will talk about theacquired canine hypothyroidismone of the most frequent hormonal diseases in the dog (and more studied, there are many studies that talk about it) together with diabetes mellitus and cushing syndrome.
Hypothyroidism in the dog: causes
Dog hypothyroidism is one hormonal disease caused by a decreased production of thyroid hormones. There is a congenital form, the so -called cretinism, rare and an acquired form, much more widespread. This endocrinopathy is usually caused by the immunomedic destruction of the thyroids (primary forms acquired with deficiency of T3 and T4) and, more rarely, by tumors against the hypophysis (secondary form acquired by TSH deficiency).
Usually the main cause of acquired hypothyroidism is one immunomedate form of lymphocyte thyroiditis which causes the destruction of the thyroid tissue. It is certainly not a coincidence that we put the photo of a Labrador Retrieversince it is one of the breeds prepared to manifest this disease. Indeed, among the breeds of dogs where it is easier to see hypothyroidism we have:
However, it can manifest itself in any breed, including mestizos. There is no preparation of sex, while the diagnosis usually takes place around 7 years of age.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism in the dog
As owners, it is good to learn to recognize the first Symptoms of hypothyroidism in the dog. Which is not easy since the first signs often go completely unnoticed. This is because they are not only somewhat non -specific, but often they also arise very gradually, so you don’t notice the problem.
Common symptoms of hypothyroidism in the dog are:
General symptoms
Dermatological symptoms
Neurological symptoms
Reproductive symptoms
Cardiac symptoms
Renal symptoms
In itself, theI hypothyroidism of the dog does not cause immediate death of the dog. However there is a more serious form called Coma mixedmatoso in which the dog shows more serious symptoms such as:
Hypothyroidism therapy in dogs
After doing diagnosis of hypothyroidism (through a series of blood tests that evaluate the FT4 and the TSH) and to have established that that dog is actually hypothyroid (there are many eutiroid dogs or in initial stages that must be monitored over time), fortunately, there is a Therapy for dog hypothyroidism. Just like in man hypothyroidism, in this case it is a question of administering those dogs thyroid hormones missing.
On the market there are several veterinary drugs based on L-Lavotiroxina: It will take care of your vet to establish the initial dosage and the periodic monitoring checks. Obviously, any possible ones will also be treated concomitant diseases. If the dog has a form of cardiomyopathy from hypothyroidism, the latter will also be treated. Furthermore, there are often dogs that have multiple hormonal forms, with the simultaneous presence for example of hypothyroidism and Diabete Mellito. In this case, all the hormonal diseases present will be treated.
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