Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid is not producing enough thyroxine (a hormone that affects many of the functions of the body) within the dog or cat. This condition is relatively common in dogs, however, it is extremely rare in cats.
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Hypothyroidism in Cats
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Hypothyroidism is an extremely rare occurrence in cats. Most often, hypothyroidism is a result of treatment for hyperthyroidism (an overproduction of hormones.) Common signs of hypothyroidism in cats include lethargy often accompanied by a lack of interest in normal activities as well as an increase in daily sleep. You may also notice that your cat is becoming obese. On the other hand, some cats will have a decrease or total lack of appetite. They may also suffer from constipation and skin disorders such as thinning of the fur or extreme hair loss and even dry skin.
Treatment for Cats
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Depending on the cause of hypothyroidism, treatment will vary. If hypothyroidism is drug-induced, then the cat will slowly be weaned off the medication. In other cases, medication will be administered for the life of the cat. Usually these medications are hormone supplements that should be administered on a daily basis.
Hypothyroidism in Dogs
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Hypothyroidism usually occurs in dogs that are 4 to 10 years old. In dogs, hypothyroidism is often the result of the destruction of the thyroid tissue. This is usually caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland and the reasons are still unknown as to why this happens.
Common symptoms of hypothyroidism in dogs include a lack of interest in activities that the dog would have previously enjoyed, increased sleeping in addition to becoming tired easily. Dogs suffering from hypothyroidism may also suffer from weight gain, a slowing of their heart rate and a cold intolerance (where they seek out warmer places to rest.) In addition to this, some dogs may suffer from infertility, constipation or diarrhea as well as various chronic skin issues such as dry skin or hair loss.
Treatment for Dogs
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Similar to the treatment of cats, dogs that are being treated for hypothyroidism will be given a daily hormone supplement. This will be needed for the remainder of the dog's life. You will also need to bring your dog in for regular check-ups for blood tests to ensure that the dosage is continuing to have the appropriate affect on your dog. An overdose of medication could result in hyperactivity as well as weight loss.
Hypothyroidism in Puppies
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Puppies that suffer from hypothyroidism will not have a similar growth pattern to healthy puppies. Hypothyroidism in puppies causes slower growth rates and some puppies will even suffer from shorter legs, which is a form of dwarfism. In addition to this, the puppy will also have unusual bone development, particularly in the skull. The puppy may have a "bug-eye" look to him and will likely remain underdeveloped both physically and mentally throughout his shortened life. Puppies that suffer from hypothyroidism usually do not live long.
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