Canine Hypothyroidism
One of the most common endocrine problems for dogs is canine hypothyroidism. This is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. It normally affects dogs between the ages of three and eight. Mid-sized and large dog breeds are affected more often than smaller breeds.
Symptoms
Thyroid hormones play a role in almost every organ system in your dogs body. Therefore, canine hypothyroidism causes a wide range of symptoms. Common symptoms include weakness, lethargy, and weight gain. If the condition is allowed to progress, your dog may even suffer hair loss and have a rough coat of hair.
Diagnosis
As mentioned earlier, canine hypothyroidism causes a wide range of non-specific symptoms. Therefore, this disease can be very difficult to diagnose accurately. The veterinarian may suspect hypothyroidism based on your dog’s medical history and a physical exam. He will also need to draw a blood sample to check for hormone levels.
Treatment
If your dog is diagnosed with canine hypothyroidism, you will be happy to know that treatment is pretty simple. You will probably have to give your dog two tablets of thyroxine each day. The specific dosage will vary for each dog. Also, you will need to take your dog back to the vet for blood tests and exams to adjust the dosage.
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