Thyroid disease is caused by a hormonal imbalance, mostly between 4 to 10 years old. However, it is common in some breeds like labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, Doberman pinschers, Irish setters, dachshunds, boxers, and cocker spaniels. In dogs, the thyroid gland is present in the middle of the neck. The main function of this gland is to produce thyroxine, a hormone that helps in metabolism in dogs. When the thyroid gland fails to secrete or make the required amount of these hormones, it causes thyroid disease. Thus, it slows the metabolism in dogs’ bodies.
What Causes Thyroid?
In dogs, 95% of the cases of thyroid are due to two diseases named lymphocytic thyroiditis and idiopathic thyroid gland atrophy. In the first disease, which is the common cause of thyroid, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. It’s mostly genetic, whereas, in the second disease, fat tissue replaces normal thyroid tissue. The rest, 5%, is caused by thyroid cancer.
What Are The Signs Of Thyroid Issues In Dogs?
Drop In Energy Level
The most commonly noticed symptom that indicates your pet dog’s illness is a change in its behavior and energy level. Suppose you notice your dog is getting more lethargic, tired, inactive; these could be a sign your beloved dog is probably suffering from a thyroid problem.
Weight Gain Or Loss
Another sign of thyroid problems in dogs is the sudden increase in weight despite having the same diet. Instead, your pet slowly packs on a few pounds despite you feeding him a normal diet. Obesity, if not treated on time, leads to heart disease or a high pulse rate.
Regular Skin Or Fur Issues
Again, one of the common and easily noticeable symptoms of thyroid disease in dogs is excessive shedding of hair leading to rapid hair loss and thinning of fur on the back, legs, and tail. The thyroid also causes skin problems leading to smelly and scaly skin. It also causes dark pigmentation and patches on the skin, which you may easily notice while brushing your dog’s hair.
