Hypothyroid dogs often have ear infections and show ear pain, redness, and odor
. Hypothyroid dogs may also develop skin infections that may be itchy and result in sores on the body.
How do dogs act when they have thyroid problems?
Signs of hypothyroidism include
hair loss, usually on your dog's trunk, back of the rear legs, and tail
. Their coat will be dull and thin, their skin flaky, but not itchy or red (which is usually tied to fleas or an allergic reaction). They may also have black patches of skin.
What are the side effects of hypothyroidism in dogs?
- Unexplained weight gain.
- Obesity.
- Lack of energy, lethargy.
- Mental dullness.
- Cold intolerance.
- Thinning coat.
- Dull looking fur.
- Dark pigmentation of the skin.
Can hypothyroidism cause lameness in dogs?
They include dullness, mood swings, muscle wasting on the head, facial paralysis, head tilt, disorientation, muscle weakness or paralysis, and lameness
. On very rare occasions there will be seizures and coma. Two specific diseases associated with hypothyroidism are megaesophagus and laryngeal paralysis.
How long do dogs live with hypothyroidism?
Pets treated for canine hypothyroidism have an excellent prognosis and their life expectancy is normal. Although it is not curable, it is a manageable disorder. Clinical abnormalities (flaky skin, hair loss, lethargy) may take
a few weeks to a few months
to resolve.
What happens if hypothyroidism is left untreated in dogs?
Untreated hypothyroidism can
shorten your dog's life span
, as nearly every organ in the body is affected by thyroid hormone and by the metabolism. Dogs with untreated hypothyroidism develop high cholesterol, decreased immune function, a slowed heart rate, and neuromuscular signs.
Does levothyroxine hurt dogs?
The hormone levothyroxine (a synthetic form) is the typical choice for treatment in canines and humans alike.
Overdose of this hormone can cause toxicity in your pet
. Vet bills can sneak up on you.
What are the long term side effects of hypothyroidism?
- Goiter. Constant stimulation of your thyroid to release more hormones may cause the gland to become larger — a condition known as a goiter. …
- Heart problems. …
- Mental health issues. …
- Peripheral neuropathy. …
- Myxedema. …
- Infertility. …
- Birth defects.
What can I do to help my dog with hypothyroidism?
Treating Hypothyroidism in Dogs
Hypothyroidism is treatable.
Your veterinarian will probably give your dog a prescription for thyroxine, a replacement hormone compound, to offset your dog's low thyroid function
.
What are early warning signs of thyroid problems?
- Fatigue.
- Weight gain.
- Weight loss.
- Slowed heart rate.
- Increased heart rate.
- Sensitivity to heat.
- Sensitivity to cold.
How long does it take for thyroid meds to work in dogs?
2 Typically, you will start to see improvement in your dog's activity level just
a few weeks
after starting the Thyroxine. Hair regrowth can take a bit longer, sometimes up to four months.
How do you know if your dog has Megaesophagus?
The typical symptom of megaesophagus is regurgitation.
Dogs will bring up undigested food with no abdominal effort
(as opposed to what we observe with vomiting, where dogs will throw up partially digested food while making significant abdominal movements).
Can hypothyroidism cause leg weakness in dogs?
Muscle Disorders. Up to 40% of humans with hypothyroidism have clinical signs of skeletal muscle weakness at initial diagnosis. Similarly,
dogs can present with muscle pain and stiffness as well as generalized weakness
. In one hypothyroid dog, pelvic limb paresis progressed to tetraparesis over the course of 6 weeks.
Can hypothyroidism cause neurological problems in dogs?
The most frequently described neurological signs associated with hypothyroidism in dogs are head tilt, ataxia, circling, and strabismus
. Hypothyroidism has also been associated with peripheral vestibular disease (1).
What is dog ataxia?
Ataxia, Vestibular Disease in Dogs. Ataxia is
a condition relating to a sensory dysfunction that produces loss of coordination of the limbs, head, and/or trunk
. There are three clinical types of ataxia: sensory (proprioceptive), vestibular, and cerebellar.
Is treating hypothyroidism in dogs expensive?
Veterinary Cost
The cost of diagnosis for hypothyroidism is relatively slight. Testing typically runs between $50 and $150.
Treatment is generally considered manageable as well
. Monthly expenses for medication tend to run in the $20 to $50 range.
Can hypothyroidism cause anxiety in dogs?
As with humans,
hypothyroidism in dogs manifests as impaired mental function, so reasoning is replaced with panic
. The symptoms are most noticeable when the dog is stressed. Problems can begin very early, or may appear in adulthood. In adulthood, separation anxiety or noise phobias may suddenly appear.
What are side effects of levothyroxine?
- weight gain or loss.
- headache.
- vomiting.
- diarrhea.
- changes in appetite.
- fever.
- changes in menstrual cycle.
- sensitivity to heat.
How much levothyroxine is toxic to dogs?
An overdose of
up to 850 levothyroxine sodium tablets (0.2 mg)
in a healthy 6-year-old 16.8-kg dog induced an episode of vomiting and hippus within 9 hours of ingestion.
How do you treat hypothyroidism in dogs naturally?
Does hypothyroidism get worse over time?
Thyroid disease can remain stable or worsen as the years go on
. These changes may occur for a couple of reasons: Due to the natural course of the condition. As a response to significant changes triggered by the treatment (such as surgical removal of the thyroid gland)
What foods should be avoided with hypothyroidism?
People with hypothyroidism should avoid
millet, processed foods, and supplements like selenium and zinc
, unless a healthcare professional has advised otherwise. Foods that contain goitrogens may be fine in moderate amounts.
What is considered severe hypothyroidism?
Extremely low levels of thyroid hormone can cause a life-threatening condition called myxedema.
Myxedema is the most severe form of hypothyroidism
. A person with myxedema can lose consciousness or go into a coma.
