Introduction – Hypothyroidism or Thyroid Problems in Dogs and cats
Hypothyroidism is the most common hormonal imbalance of dogs and cats. It is caused by deficiency of thyroid hormone in your pet, which can be reduced or corrected with proper medication. It has been shown to cause a variety of health issues such as hair loss, skin problems, breathing problems, and behavioral problems. These symptoms can vary greatly from individual to individual and in some cases dogs and cats may appear perfectly normal.
This article will discuss the different types of hypothyroidism and the symptoms that are commonly associated with each type. In addition, this article will outline some of the causes for hypothyroidism in pets (and humans), discuss possible solutions, and provide a brief explanation on what is considered normal thyroid function for pets.
This section will go over:
– What is Hypothyroidism?
– What are Signs & Symptoms of Hypothyroidism?
– Causes for Hypothyroidism?
– Symptoms that are associated with Hypothyroidism?
The Symptoms of Hypothyroidism in Dogs & Cats
Hypothyroidism is a thyroid condition that affects your dog or cat. It can cause physical changes in your pet such as loss of appetite and weight loss. In dogs, the most common problem is weight loss due to a decrease in appetite.
As the name suggests, hypothyroidism causes an imbalance in the thyroid gland. This gland produces thyroid hormone (or thyroxine) which regulates energy production and metabolism. Without enough thyroid hormone, your pet’s body will benefit from an increased level of energy production and a decreased level of activity.
The main symptoms are:
– Poor coat condition including lack of hair;
– Decreased activity;
– Weight loss;
– Lethargy;
– Fatigue;
– Headache;
– Depression;
The Diagnosis of Hypothyroidism in Dogs & Cats
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is either underactive or overactive. This is caused by an imbalance in the hormone thyroxine (or T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
A dog or cat with hypothyroidism can experience many symptoms, including a loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, hair loss, diarrhea, and weight gain.
Hypothyroidism in dogs and cats can be easily diagnosed by performing a thyroxine (T4) level test. A dog or cat with hypothyroidism will have high levels of T4 which can range from 0.7 to 8.0 ug/dl (micrograms per deciliter), while a healthy dog will have normal levels of T4 at between 0.6 and 2 ug/dl.
The Treatment Options for Hypothyroidism in Dogs & Cats
Hypothyroidism is a very common hormonal imbalance in dogs and cats. This condition affects approximately 10% of the pet population. It is also one of the most common causes of death in dogs and cats. The thyroid hormone plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, including growth, metabolism and immune function. These functions are impaired when there is a lack of thyroid hormone production.
Hypothyroidism has several different symptoms, depending on the type of hypothyroidism present, such as:
– Weight loss
– Hair loss (or baldness)
– Dental problems (including teeth problems such as abscesses or gum disease)
– Skin problems (such as dry skin, scaling and scaly patches)
– Tremor (shaking)
– Coughing or sneezing episodes that occur frequently
– Depression/anxiety issues
The underlying cause for this condition is unknown but the potential causes include:
Glandular disorders: Commonly known as “goiter”, this condition occurs when too many glandular cells are present in the thyroid gland instead of the normal number. It creates an enlargement (> 1 cm) in this gland, causing it to become stiff or enlarged by weight or by infection. This increase in size can lead to an inability to produce adequate amounts of thyroid hormone to support normal metabolic function. Glandular disorders can affect any region of the body but are most commonly found in dogs with enlarged front teeth (goiter). Some believe that rapid weight gain after birth may be responsible for this problem. Onset usually occurs between 2 weeks and 6 months old and it usually resolves by age 8 months but cases have been known to last longer than 10 years!
Tumors: Thyroid tumors are benign growths which appear on parts of the body other than the thyroid gland itself (thyroglobulinomas). Often without any signs or symptoms before they rupture and cause damage to surrounding tissue; some examples include lymphoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer and brain tumors such as meningiomas. There may be no obvious signs or symptoms until these tumors grow larger than about 2 cm.. Spreads from a tumor may lead to organ damage even if it does not become malignant. Thyroid tumors can also occur without any signs at all – these appear as round lumps on X-rays or CT scans that may be mistaken for other types of benign growths like lymphomas or other types of tumors
The Prognosis for Thyroid in Pets
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too little or too much hormone. The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating metabolism, blood pressure, body temperature, and other functions. There are two types of hypothyroidism: Hashimoto’s disease and autoimmune thyroiditis.
Hashimoto’s disease is a autoimmune thyroiditis that occurs in people who lack the antibodies necessary to fight an infection caused by parasites, bacteria or viruses.
Summary
If you’re a dog owner, chances are you’ve encountered thyroid problems in your pooch. Hypothyroidism is caused by a malfunctioning thyroid gland and is the most common hormone imbalance of dogs and cats. The symptoms include excessive drooling, lethargy, and weakness.
Hypothyroidism can develop at any age in dogs with no obvious cause. Some of the possible causes include:
- Early-onset hypothyroidism
- Respiratory disease
- Autoimmune thyroiditis (autoimmune diseases can also cause hypothyroidism)
- Cancer (especially Hodgkin’s lymphoma)
- Congenital or genetic defects that affect the thyroid glands (such as Fanconi’s syndrome)
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