The many symptoms of thyroid disease in a dog can mimic those of several other disorders. Therefore, diagnosis is difficult. Thyroid disease, however, is one of the most common canine disorders and, once diagnosed, it is easy to treat.
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Facts
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Your dog's thyroid gland produces hormones that are so vital to his health, that the thyroid gland is known as the Master Gland. When the thyroid gland isn't functioning properly every cell in the body can be affected.
Types
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There are several types of thyroid disorders in dogs. The most common is hypothyroidism, which occurs when there is too little hormone being released by the thyroid.
Symptoms
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One of the most common signs that your dog may have a thyroid problem is if she begins to put on weight without a noticeable correspondence in food intake. As the disease progresses, there will be hair loss and dandruff-like flakes on the skin. Other symptoms include lethargy and intolerance to cold.
Treatment
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Your veterinarian will prescribe a synthetic hormone replacement regime, usually levothyroxine. Dosage is based on your dog's weight. Holistic veterinarians use homeopathic supplements composed of herbs to support the thyroid.
Considerations
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Because thyroid hormones metabolize quickly, they are rapidly excreted from the body. In order to keep a constant level of the hormone in the dog's body, it's important to make sure he's given his medication at the same time every day, usually every 12 hours.
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