Thyroid Deficiency

Thyroid Deficiency (Hypothyroidism) by Jennie Bullock

Hypothyroidism is the condition resulting from an inadequate (low) production of usable hormones by the thyroid gland. Mild hypothyroidism is a common cause of skin and hair abnormalities.
The following is a list of symptoms that may present. Some dogs will show only one symptom, some will show numerous symptoms, and others will show no symptoms at all.
1. Hair condition changes- hair can get dry and brittle, falls out to the touch.
2. Hair loss - usually starting at the back of the ears, can also appear under the throat and down the thighs.
3. Motled coat - hair thin over ribs, normal down backbone and sholders, thin under the neck and belly.
4. Dry flaky cool skin - no matter how often you bathe or comb your dog it has scaley skin with large flakes all the time. The belly skin feels slippery and cool to the touch.
5. Skin infection - secondary staphylococcus infection, skin infection characterized by small pustules most often on head and torso. Sometimes called "puppy acne."
6. Gains weight - in comparison with littermates puppy is eating much less than the others - yet maintains good weight. Dog is eating much less than would be considered "normal" for his age and either maintains weight or becomes overweight.
7. Lethargy - you will either notice that your dog is sleeping more and more or that a dog is sleeping much more than would be expected for a dog his age.
8. Heat cycle irregularity - in mature dogs the heat cycle can be too short, or too long, very irregular, or cease entirely to come. In young bitches hypothyroidism can cause an adolescent not to achieve first heat at a standard age.
9. Fatigues easily - will run and play hard for a short period of time and then is either asleep or resting when his littermates or other dogs are still playing.
10. Infertility - in bitches can cause only a few eggs to be released resulting in small litters; in dogs can cause low sperm count again resulting in small litters, or can cause total sterility in either sex.
11. Reduced sex drive - males can show little to no interest in receptive bitches.
12. Inconsitant Bowel Movements - dog can exhibit prolonged diarrhea, or prolonged constipation, or irradically bouncing between constipated or diarrhetic; never achieving "normal."
13. Climatic sensitivity - dog exhibits discomfort from temperature extremes. Suffering on hot days, snuggling the heater on cold days.
14. Excessive skin pigmentation - spots on the groin or belly, spots can be light or dark.
A complete blood serum thyroid panel (T3,T4,freeT3,freeT4) is the only way to be assured that the dog does not have a thyroid deficiency problem. This is particularly important in breeds with a higher incidence of thyroid deficiency.
Treatment is available for thyroid deficiency, consisting of a thyroid replacement therapy (pills). Generally within 3 day of the beginning of treatment the dog's appetite will begin to return to normal. Within 2 weeks the skin scaling will decrease and the coat will be less dry. Hair growth can take 90-120 days to return to normal.
Warning : Once thyroid replacement therapy has begun, the dog is on treatment for life. Do not put a dog on thyroid replacement medication without a thyroid screening indicating that replacement is necessary - symptoms may clear, but you could be masking over a far more serious medical problems.
Diet can also impact your dog's thyroid. A diet high in usable protein and farily low in fat is recommended.
At present thyroid deficiency is suspected of being inherited. Recent studies have shown that mother's on thyroid replacement therapy and stabilized at normal levels prior to conception can and do produce normal offspring. Thyroid deficiency may not be eliminated - but with proper treatment many types of thyroid related disorders can be drastically reduced.

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