Everything you need to know about treating thyroid in dogs

Thyroid disorder is common in dogs mostly aged between 4 to 10 years. Well, it can be managed, although not cured to make Fido’s life healthier and better. Here’s everything related to the disease, diagnosis symptoms and treatment.

Nothing is more bothersome for a pet parent than an ailing pet suffering and groaning in pain and discomfort. What is more heart wrenching is watching the once active furry friend turn lethargic, pale and dull.

Well, although disease in dogs is common, identification of symptoms and timely treatment coupled with loads of love and care can make all the difference.

One among the many diseases affecting canines is hypothyroidism. It can create a ruckus in the four legged companion’s life. Although it cannot be completely treated, thyroid medication for dogs can replenish the hormone levels to give it a better, longer and more comfortable life.

Thyroid in Dogs

Here’s everything pet parents need to know about thyroid in dogs.

The thyroid gland is present in the neck. It produces iodine containing hormones; the two most important ones being T3 and T4. They regulate the speed at which the body runs. So, low levels of the hormone slow down the metabolic rate and make the pet lethargic and dull. Contrarily, over production of the hormone result in excitability, increased appetite, rise in thirst and urination and more so. It also affects activities of other organs too.

Hyperthyroidism is rare in dogs and more prevalent in cats. Hypothyroidism (under production of thyroid hormones) is more common in dogs, especially medium and large sized dogs; aged between 4 and 10 years.

Treating Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism in dogs cannot be completely treated. Replacement of hormones is commonly done to maintain the hormone level in the canine’s body. So, medication once started mostly goes on for the pet’s lifetime. Change in dosage is done only on fluctuation of hormone levels, which are monitored frequently. However, any change without the vet’s advice can cause more harm than good.

Causes of Thyroid

So, what is it that causes hypothyroidism in dogs? Surprisingly, in 95% of the cases, the destruction of the thyroid gland itself causes the development of hypothyroidism in canines. In rare cases, canines have a malfunctioning thyroid gland from birth. What’s more, in few cases, pituitary gland disorder leads to hypothyroidism. Other rare causes are cancer or congenital defects. Well, identifying the cause and treating it in time is the key to a healthier and happier furry friend. So, on observing the symptoms, the first thing is to pay a visit to the vet for diagnosis of the disease.

Diagnosing Hypothyroidism

Many other diseases affecting the canine friend mimic the symptoms of hypothyroidism. It is therefore, one of the most over diagnosed diseases in dogs. So, before boiling down to conclusions, it is advisable to allow the vet to diagnose the disease and begin appropriate treatment.

Ideally, the vet would conduct a series of blood and other tests that relate to the changes caused in different organs and systems of the body due to thyroid disorder. Another way is to check the thyroid levels, mostly T3 and T4 concentration to determine presence of the disease.

Once the vet diagnoses the disease, appropriate treatment in the form of replacement of hormones would begin. Pet parents’ woes soon come to an end with Fido back on its feet and active and playful like ever before.

How to Manage Hypothyroidism in Canines

Much like humans, even dogs suffer with Hypothyroidism, which must be effectively managed with medication, under the supervision of a qualified vet. Here are the details about thyroid medication for dogs.

Surprising, but true!

Much like humans, even our canine friends often suffer with hypothyroidism. This happens when the thyroid gland present in the mid neck region fails to produce and secrete enough thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism in both humans and pets is not often taken seriously, believing in the myth that the thyroid gland and hormones do not have a very important function in the body.

Hypothyroidism in Dogs

Well, that is far away from the truth. The thyroid hormones affect practically every cell in the body. So, depletion of these hormones is bound to create chaos. The effects are seen in multiple parts of the pet’s body. However, this can be effectively managed with thyroid medication for dogs. Most vets prescribe Thyroxine for a dog, which bridges the deficiency of hormones and carries out the functions effectively. As hypothyroidism in pets cannot be cured, but managed replacement therapy through medication continues throughout the pet’s lifetime.

It is effective and makes the furry companion’s life better and comfortable.

Steps to Follow

So, if your furry pooch is displaying symptoms of hypothyroidism, then here’s what you must do.

• The sooner, the better is advisable. So, fix an appointment with the vet as soon as signs of thyroid are observed. The symptoms could be any or all of these:

1. Reluctance to Exercise
2. Weight gain
3. Thinning of Fur
4. Lethargy
5. Loss of Appetite
6. Darkening of Skin Pigmentation
7. Dullness in fur

As these symptoms are common with many other canine diseases, it is recommended to visit the vet for a thorough examination to determine the cause and prescribe respective treatment.

• Administering Medication is the next step in the healing process. Vets prescribe an appropriate dosage of the medicine based on the pet’s body weight and severity of disease. This must be administered as advised by the vet. These medicines are mostly given on an empty stomach; ideally half an hour or more before meals. Ideally, four weeks after beginning the treatment, a visit to vet is required. The vet not only observes the progress, but may also calibrate the dosage as per the situation.
• It is important to keep the eyes open for side effects, if any. It is important to keep a watch on how the four legged companion is reacting to the new medication. As an overdose of the drug can cause effects like increase in thirst, hunger and hyperactivity, it is important to keep a check. On observing any of these, a visit to the vet at the earliest is recommended. He or she will mostly reduce the dosage.

Although veterinary science has not yet found a cure for thyroid, medication can make life comfortable and easy for the canine. It is known to keep the symptoms of thyroid away and manage the function of the body effectively. So, thyroid medication is effective and can be easily found at genuine online pharmacies like Petrx2go.

For further details, contact them at https://www.petrx2go.com