Hypotyroidism in dogs – Company stuff

Author: Veterinary Doctor – Somfalvi Rita

The thyroid is a gland found in the neck, on the trachea, all mammals. This is responsible for the secretion of hormones that play a role in the regulation of the metabolism.

Hypotyroidism refers to a pathology, relatively common in dogs, which leads to an inadequate secretion of thyroid hormones. Unlike dogs, Cats are prone to hyperthyroidism (an exaggerated secretion of thyroid hormones) – More details Here.
The disease affects medium dogs more often, aged between 4 and 10 years. The races inclined to this disease include: Golden Retriever, Doberman Pinscher, Schnauzer miniatures, Spanish cockrator.

The cause of hypothyroidism in dogs is represented by an idiopathic atrophy of the thyroid gland (= decrease in size and consecutively in the quantity of secreted hormones) or by a lymphocyte thyroiditis (= = an inflammation of the organ). The cause of thyroidrophy of the thyroid is not known, but an autoimmune reaction of the body is supported (= the body abnormally attacks the cells in the thyroid).

Clinical signs

An insufficient amount of thyroid hormones leads to a decrease in the metabolic rate, therefore it affects the entire body. Clinical signs are not specific and vary from individual to individual. The most often reported owners are:

• Grease without increasing food intake;
• decrease in the degree of activity;
• cold intolerance;
• letargia (apathy);
• changes in the quality of the fur with areas of symmetrical and non -criminal alopecia;
• The fur once cut/breed has a low growth rate;
• skin peel (dandruff) and recurring infections in the skin and ears;
• skin pigmentation;
• Damage to the reproductive system (lack of heat, infertility, abortions).

In rare cases, untreated hypothyroidism can lead to an extreme form called mixed coma. This is a decomma of the body that manifests itself through apathy, hypothermia and artivity. At the clinical examination, the patient has a semi -mio -omatous condition, it is an hypotensive, hypotensive and hypoglycaemic suffering more often hydroelectrolytic imbalances.

Treatment in this case is an emergency for cardiovascular stabilization and hydroelectrolytic rebalancing. At the same time, blood tests will be performed for the management of any secondary pathologies.

Diagnostic

The diagnosis is based on clinical examination and complementary analyzes. First of all, the patient’s clinical evaluation will take place and routine analysis will be recommended to evaluate general health. As mentioned above, hypothyroidism affects the entire body and for this reason the identification of the pathologies of secondary organs (e.g. heart of heart or renal, endocrine diseases) should be identified and treated simultaneously with the diagnosis and treatment of a possible hypothyroidism.

The next step in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is the dosage of the thyroid hormone (T4). Unfortunately, its dosage is not enough for a diagnosis of certainty because there are several metabolic states, drugs and non -thyroid diseases that lead to a result lower than the reference limit. In the case of a result of this type (the hormone value below the reference limits) will pass to the next step, i.e. the FT4 and TSH dosage. Since this last step is quite expensive, it is recommended to evaluate these analyzes one at a time, following the T4 hormone excludes hypothyroidism.

Other complementary analyzes used in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism are:
A. Ultrasound of the thyroid gland in order to evaluate the morphological aspect of this organ. In this way, changes of size and ecogenicity can be observed, the presence of possible formations to its level;
B. dosage of anti-toglobulin antibodies to identify the etiology of this pathology. This dosage will tell us if the cause of hypothyroidism is of autoimmune origin.

Treatment

Although this pathology cannot be treated, it can be kept under control by oral supplementation of thyroid hormones. Part of the clinical signs of hypothyroidism will be resolved within the first 4-6 weeks after treatment, however, will take months (for example dermatological problems). The treatment will be prescribed by the veterinarian with which a connection will be maintained against the evolution of quadruped and regular checks. The patient tolerance to treatment can change over time, with treatment for treatment.

The prognosis of patients with simple hypothyroidism is favorable. Of course, the evolution of the patient depends on several factors, including the general condition of the patient, the age, the body’s response to the treatment and the consistency of the owners in the administration of the drug and the patient’s monitoring.