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Dog lose7/25/2023 ![]() Once your veterinarian has determined a stable dose, your dog will most likely need to have his thyroid levels retested once or twice a year and continue the stable dose of medication, for the rest of his life. Your veterinarian may need to adjust your dog’s dosage over time, and you should expect to see results after one to two months. The dosage will vary depending on your dog’s weight and thyroid levels. Your veterinarian will probably give your dog a prescription for thyroxine, a replacement hormone compound, to offset your dog’s low thyroid function. This is a good initial screening test for hypothyroidism, however, your veterinarian may recommend running further tests to get a definitive result. One of these tests will probably be a test of your dog’s T4 concentration. This will probably require several blood tests to determine if your dog exhibits any of the abnormalities commonly associated with the disease, and regular monitoring of your dog’s thyroid levels. Your veterinarian will diagnose your dog based on clinical signs and careful diagnostic testing. ![]() This can make diagnosing a thyroid condition tricky, so be patient as you work with your veterinarian to get to the root of your dog’s symptoms. Other diseases also affect the thyroid levels, but are not hypothyroidism. Some conditions or clinical signs even improve with thyroid medication. This is because many diseases mimic hypothyroidism. The Merck Veterinary Manual states that hypothyroidism is one of the most over-diagnosed diseases in dogs. Medium-to- large-size breeds are more likely to develop the disease than toy and miniature breeds, and the Cocker Spaniel, Miniature Schnauzer, Dachshund, Doberman Pinscher, Golden Retriever, Airedale Terrier, and Irish Setter appear to be predisposed to developing the condition. Some breeds do appear to be at greater risk of developing hypothyroidism than others. Reproductive disturbances in intact dogs.Changes in coat and skin, like increased shedding, hair thinning, and hair loss.Weight gain without a change in appetite. ![]() Here are some of the more common symptoms: The symptoms of hypothyroidism can vary greatly from dog to dog, but are all mostly related to your dog’s slowing metabolism. Low thyroid levels affect all your dog’s organ systems. What Are the Symptoms of Hypothyroidism in Dogs? Other, rarer causes of hypothyroidism include cancer and congenital defects. This destruction is usually the result of either lymphocytic thyroiditis or idiopathic atrophy of the thyroid gland. In 95 percent of cases, the direct destruction of the thyroid gland causes hypothyroidism. This condition is more common in dogs than in other domestic animals, but it usually responds well to appropriate medication. Hypothyroidism occurs when your dog is not secreting enough of the thyroid hormones, causing your dog’s metabolism to slow. The thyroid is like the thermostat of the body. These hormones play a large role in your dog’s metabolism and can cause major problems when they are not produced at normal levels. The thyroid gland is located in your dog’s neck, where it produces the hormone thyroxine (T4), along with several other important thyroid hormones. In order to understand thyroid disease, it helps to have an understanding of what the thyroid actually does. Here is some information about the more common thyroid diseases that can affect dogs to help you better understand your dog’s condition. While it is usually treatable, learning that your dog has a thyroid condition is understandably concerning. Thyroid disease is a relatively common problem in dogs.
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