Do Bichon Frises get Canine Hypothyroidism?

The simple definition of canine hypothyroidism is that your dog’s body has lower levels of thyroid hormones than she needs, in order to thrive.   When a dog has hypothyroidism, his whole body just slows down.

What Causes Hypothyroidism in Dogs?

Your dog’s thyroid is a little butterfly-shaped gland that is found at the base of her neck.  The thyroid is right beside your dog’s windpipe, near her voice box.

When a dog has hypothyroidism, his thyroid is the guilty party causing the trouble.  Its job is to regulate your dog’s thyroid hormones.  These hormones, in turn, affect your dog’s energy levels, hair growth and health, body temperature and weight.  When the thyroid is not producing enough hormones, your dog suffers from hypothyroidism.

About 90-95% of dogs with hypothyroidism have an autoimmune condition that has actually destroyed their thyroids.  Others have a tumor on the pituitary gland.

While those are the main causes, there are a few more:

• Unknown etiology – this is medicalese for “nobody knows why”.
• Congenital disease – A dog can be born with hypothyroidism.  Dogs born with thyroid deficiency or who develop a deficiency as puppies, end up with dwarfism and they are mentally slow.
• Iodine deficiency
• Cancer

Breeds of Dogs Most Likely to Get Hypothyroidism

Canine hypothyroidism usually affects mid to large size dogs, and we see it less often in small toy and miniature breeds.

Although hypothyroidism can be found in any breed, we find canine hypothyroidism most commonly in these breeds:

• Airedale Terrier
• Golden Retriever
• Doberman Pinscher
• Irish Setter
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Dachshund
• Cocker Spaniel

Usually a dog is diagnosed when she is middle aged, between 4 and 10 years old.  The disease is found in both males and females equally.  Interestingly, females who are neutered, are more likely to have hypothyroidism than those that are not.

Hypothyroidism Symptoms in Dogs

Like any other dog hormone diseases, hypothyroidism has quite a few symptoms.  However, the most common ones, seen in most dogs with this condition, are weight gain, lethargy or slowing down and sensitivity to cold.

Behavior

Your dog’s behavior can give you clues to his health.  Look for these signs of hypothyroidism:

• Aggression – Dogs who are already prone to aggression, can be more irritable
• Weight gain – The most common medical cause for weight gain is hypothyroidism.  Even though your dog has gained weight, he has a poor appetite.
• Inactivity – Your dog is not enthusiastic about playing or going for walks.  Blood tests may show that your pet is anemic.
• Sensitivity to cold – Your dog may shiver when exposed to colder temperatures or he may seek to be where it is warm.
• Mental dullness – Your dog seems to have trouble understanding what you want her to do.
• Females (not spayed) – skipped heat cycles, infertility, poor survival of pups in a litter
• Males – lack of sexual interest, small testicles, low sperm count, infertility

Skin Changes

• Thinning of hair – You may notice that your dog is shedding more hair.
• Delayed regrowth of hair after grooming is another sign.
• Skin – gets thicker, especially on the forehead and face.
• You may see minor skin infections.
• Dry, dull coat
• Dry skin with dandruff or scaling
• Hyperpigmentation – dark spots that you didn’t notice before

Untreated or Advanced Cases of Hypothyroidism

Of course, if your dog’s illness is not discovered, things could get a lot worse!

• Vision loss or blindness
• Nerve disorders
• Joint inflammation

If your dog has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, you will be interested in reading The Canine Thyroid Epidemic:  Answers You Need for Your Dog, by W. Jean Dodds, DVM and Diana R. Laverdure.

What is the Treatment for Canine Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism in dogs is one of the most under or over diagnosed diseases in dogs, based on your view point.  This is mostly because it has symptoms that are common to other hormonal imbalance disorders like Cushing’s, Addison’s, or diabetes mellitus.

If your dog is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, the vet will prescribe hormone therapy.  Your dog will take a synthetic hormone, L-T4.  This synthetic hormone replaces the thyroid hormones your dog lacks.

In most cases, you will see positive changes in your dog’s coat, weight and energy levels after 1-2 months of hormone replacement.

Whenever I can offer a natural treatment solution for your dog, I will do so.  In this case, however, I have not found any natural treatments or herbs that will help correct canine hypothyroidism.

What if Your Dog doesn’t Improve?

If your dog still has all the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, even after 1-2 months of therapy, your vet will consider these possibilities:

• The dosage is not right yet. – Blood tests will help determine if this is the reason.
• You are not giving the meds, as instructed (missing doses, forgetting to give them).
• Your dog is excreting too much of the medicine or his body is not absorbing it well enough.
• Wrong diagnosis  – So many hormone imbalance disorders look alike, it’s easy for a vet to think your dog has the wrong disease.  Dog disorders caused by hormone imbalance tend to affect every system of your dog’s body.  Thyroid problems in dogs are the most over-diagnosed condition in dogs.

Prognosis for Dogs with Dog Thyroid Disease

Fortunately hypothyroidism in dogs is a disease that we can control easily.  When your dog takes replacement hormones, after a month or two, you will think you have a new dog.

Your dog’s symptoms will disappear, and, if you continue to monitor her progress and give her the meds, she will live a normal life with no residual problems.

Hyperthyroidism in Dogs is Rare

What is Hyperthyroidism in dogs?

The exact opposite of hypothyroidism in dogs is hyperthyroidism.  If your dog has this, his metabolism speeds up and goes crazy.

This is really quite unusual in dogs, so your dog probably does not have it.  However, a few dogs do end up with this condition.

There are really only two causes for hyperthyroidism.  Your dog’s medication for hypothyroidism could be too strong or your dog has carcinoma or thyroid cancer.  The most common cause is cancer.

Hyperthyroidism Symptoms in Dogs

A dog’s faster metabolism drives the symptoms for this disease.

Signs You May See

• Weight loss
• Hyper-excitability
• Huge increase in appetite
• Extra thirsty
• Pees more often and larger amount
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• More poop than usual

Symptoms Your Vet May Find

• Congestive heart failure
• Faster heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Enlarged heart
• Heart murmur

How is Canine Hyperthyroidism  Treated?

If a dog is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism caused by cancer, your vet may suggest surgery, chemotherapy or radiation treatments.

Even though these treatments are available, the prognosis for dogs with this condition is poor to grave.