Search

Dog Health

learn valuable information on dog health for dogs with our dog health center. keep your pets in tip top shape with the dog health articles below.
Hypothyroidism
Dog at veterinarian's office Dog at vet's office Beagle with Cone

Hypothyroidism in Dogs: An Overview

Hypothyroidism is a clinical syndrome caused by inadequate production and release of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which are essential to normal metabolic function. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are varied and nonspecific. Hypothyroidism is not difficult to diagnose.Primary hypothyroidism is the most common form of this disease and typically is caused by lymphocytic thyroiditis or idiopathic thyroid gland atrophy. These conditions involve immune-mediated destruction of or damage to the thyroid gland. For

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism in Dogs

Hypothyroidism is a condition that develops as a result of abnormally low levels of circulating thyroid hormones. The hormones produced by the thyroid gland are essential to a number of metabolic processes within the body. Hypothyroidism is a fairly common disorder in domestic dogs, and the symptoms of the condition can mimic those of many other diseases.Hypothyroidism occurs most frequently in large, middle-aged dogs of either gender and of any breed or mixed breed. The

Diagnosing Hypothyroidism in Dogs

Canine hypothyroidism is not difficult to diagnose. In fact, it is one of the most overdiagnosed diseases of domestic dogs, mainly because the symptoms of hypothyroidism mimic those of so many other disorders.When presented with a dog showing some of the classic signs of hypothyroidism, a veterinarian will typically perform a complete blood count, a serum biochemistry panel and a urinalysis, as part of an initial database. The results of these tests can be suggestive

Treating Hypothyroidism in Dogs

Hypothyroidism is a condition caused by abnormally low circulating levels of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). It is a relatively common problem in mid-to-large-sized, middle-aged dogs of either gender and often is accompanied by vague, nonspecific symptoms that mirror those of other diseases. Once hypothyroidism is definitively diagnosed, it can be treated fairly easily, although treatment must continue for the dog’s lifetime. The goals of treating hypothyroidism are to restore normal levels