![]() Dogs affected with hypothyroidism often have a decreased metabolic rate resulting in lethargy, dullness, and weight gain without polyphagia. Clinical signsīecause thyroid hormones affect virtually every organ, the clinical manifestations of disease can be different for each patient. Because it is the most common, the diagnostic approach to primary hypothyroidism will be the focus of this article. The age at which clinical signs manifest varies but diagnosis at middle-age to senior years is typical. Primary hypothyroidism affects different breeds mixed breed dogs, golden retrievers, Doberman pinschers, and Labrador retrievers are among those most affected. Less commonly, there is secondary hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland is healthy but the pituitary gland fails to secrete thyrotropin (TSH), resulting in a secondary failure of the thyroid gland to secrete the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Failure of the thyroid gland is termed primary hypothyroidism and accounts for most cases of canine hypothyroidism. This can be due to lymphocytic thyroiditis (destruction of the thyroid gland by inflammation) or idiopathic thyroid atrophy (degeneration of the thyroid gland in the absence of apparent inflammation). ![]() Because of these factors, making a correct diagnosis of hypothyroidism can be difficult.Ĭanine hypothyroidism usually results from failure of the thyroid gland. Furthermore, there are numerous causes of low thyroid hormone levels in euthyroid dogs. ![]() Although hypothyroidism is relatively common and thyroid hormone testing is readily available, there is a diagnostic challenge because the clinical signs can be subtle and highly variable. Canine hypothyroidism is a slowly progressive disorder resulting from failure of the thyroid gland to secrete amounts of thyroid hormones adequate for maintaining normal organ functions.
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