Mary Allen
A disease of the thyroid also affects the metabolism in dogs. In the case of hypothyroidism, the entire metabolism slows down. to weight gain, fatigue, and skin changes.
General description
The thyroid gland is located on the right and left of the dog’s neck and produces thyroid hormones that influence cell function and thus the dog’s metabolism. The underproduction of thyroid hormones is called hypothyroidism and causes the cells to work too slowly. Most dogs have hypothyroidism as a result of chronic inflammation that causes the organ to shrink. Rarely, tumors can also cause hypothyroidism.
The underproduction of thyroid hormones can cause various symptoms, the most common of which are weight gain, cold intolerance, fatigue, and skin changes. Changes in the reproductive and nervous systems are rare.
Diagnosis
Since this disease is common in older dogs, the thyroid hormone T4 in the blood should be measured at regular intervals as part of the check-up. If thyroid hormone levels are low, your veterinarian will discuss with you further testing to determine if the decrease is caused by a thyroid problem or another medical condition or medication.
Therapy & Prognosis
Hypothyroidism is treated by administering tablets containing the active ingredient levothyroxine, which usually have to be taken twice a day for the rest of your life. Four to six weeks after the start of therapy, the thyroid hormones in the blood must be checked four to six hours after taking the tablet to check whether your dog is getting the right dose of levothyroxine. If your dog is well adjusted to the medication, the thyroid hormones in the blood will be measured twice a year.
It can take a few weeks to months for the symptoms to go away completely. As a rule, the animals become more alert after one to two weeks, and weight loss is noticeable within 8 weeks. In some cases, the skin changes may appear worse in the first few weeks after starting therapy as the old coat sheds. If a dog has had neurological problems, it usually takes 8-12 weeks to see improvement. With the proper administration of the medication and regular checks, the symptoms of hypothyroidism usually disappear completely.