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Is your dog hypothyroid?
by W. Jean Dodds DVM
Copyright August, 2001 -
Here is a list of symptoms that may mean your dog is hypothyroid (from Dr. Jean Dodds)
Alterations in Cellular Metabolism
- lethargy mental dullness
- exercise intolerance neurologic signs like
- polyneuropathy
- seizures
- weight gain cold intolerance
- mood swings hyperexcitability
- stunted growth chronic infections
Neuromuscular Problems (like loss of smooth muscle tone)
- weakness (esp. hind end) stiffness
- knuckling/dragging feet laryngeal paralysis (bark changes)
- incontinence facial paralysis (droopy)
- head tilt "tragic" expression (looks old/sad
- drooping eyelids muscle wasting (temporal, withers)
- ruptured cruciate ligament megaesophagus (reflux gastritis)
Dermatological Diseases
- dry/scaly skin and dandruff coarse, dull coat
- hyperpigmentation "rat tail" "puppy coat"
- chronic offensive skin odor pyoderma or skin infections
- myxedema
- bilaterally symmetrical seborrhea with greasy skin
- hair loss (or dry skin)
- demodetic mange
Reproductive Disorders
- infertility prolonged interestrus interval
- lack of libido absence of heat cycles
- testicular atrophy silent heats
- hypospermia (low sperm) aspermia (no sperm)
- pseudopregnancy weak, dying or stillborn pups
Cardiac abnormalities
- slow heart rate (bradycardia) cardiomyopathy (esp. in
- cardiac arrhythmias (Greyhounds, Dobies and Salukis)
Gastrointestinal Disorders
- constipation diarrhea
- vomiting
Hematological Disorders
- bleeding
- bone marrow failure, which can lead to low white blood cells, low
- red blood cells, low platelets
Ocular Diseases
- corneal lipid deposits corneal ulceration
- uveitis keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye)
- infections of the eyelid glands
- Meibomian gland, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome
Other associated diseases
- IgA deficiency loss of smell (dysosomia)
- loss of taste
W. Jean Dodds, DVM is the Founder and President of HEMOPET. Hemopet specializes in veterinary transfusion medicine, effective blood substitutes, bone marrow and tissue banks.
Jeans'goal for the 2000's is to form other regional centers and consolidate the national program.
