Your veterinarian will be looking for
clinical signs of hypothyroidism during a thorough physical examination of the dog and will ask questions about your dog's health and behavior.
In this condition the thyroid gland produces inadequate levels of thyroid hormones which result
in signs of hypothyroidism: weight gain, lethargy, poor hair coat, decreased mental status, etc..
The above explanation helps us to appreciate existing confusion and controversy within the veterinary profession regarding whether or not testing or treatment is indicated for dogs that fail to show
typical signs of hypothyroidism.
Thus, selenium - deficient individuals showing
clinical signs of hypothyroidism could be overlooked on the basis that blood levels of thyroid hormones appear normal.
Other signs of hypothyroidism include a slow heart rate, an absence of heat cycles, and other non-specific symptoms that could be due to other diseases.
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• Low basal temperature - Another
telltale sign of hypothyroidism is a low basal body temperature (BBT), less than 97.6 degrees Fahrenheit averaged over a minimum of three days.
If clinical
signs of hypothyroidism remain despite the use of reasonable doses of thyroid hormone, the following must be considered: 1) the dosage or frequency of administration is improper; 2) the owner is not complying with instructions or is not successfully administering the medication; 3) the animal is not absorbing the medication well, or is metabolizing and / or excreting it too rapidly; 4) the medication is outdated; or 5) the diagnosis is incorrect.
The
common signs of hypothyroidism (eg, hair loss) are usually present, but other signs, such as hypoventilation, hypotension, bradycardia, and profound hypothermia, are usually seen as well.
Nachreiner, R. F., Prevalence of serum thyroid hormone autoantibodies in dogs with
clinical signs of hypothyroidism, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2002
Robin Dipasquale, who is in the final months of her study and training at Bastyr University in Seattle, a post-graduate four - year degree program for naturopathic physicians, cautions that cold hands and feet could also be
a sign of hypothyroidism, so it is important to pay attention to symptoms and check with a doctor.
Longer periods and stronger pain can be
a sign of hypothyroidism.
Dry, brittle hair can be
a sign of hypothyroidism.
If you suddenly have a sense of numbness or pain in the hands, legs, feet or hands, it could be
a sign of hypothyroidism.
Dry peeling skin can be
a sign of hypothyroidism.
Symptoms and
signs of hypothyroidism and their degree of severity may vary and depend on the duration and extent of thyroid hormone deficiency.
But if you've noticed yourself feeling colder than normal lately, it could be
a sign of hypothyroidism.
Fatigue, brain fog, difficulty losing weight, puffiness, constipation, dry skin and hair, and low body temperature can be
signs of hypothyroidism.
If it is consistently lower, that could be
a sign of hypothyroidism, while a temperature that is consistently higher may be a sign of hyperthyroidism.
Some will be as low as 94.8 and may have
signs of hypothyroidism.
The latter is the basis for the clinical
signs of hypothyroidism.
Some signs of Hypothyroidism are skin problems, excessive shedding, hair loss, loose eyes, and frequent infections.
Autoimmune thyroid disease is considered inherited in dogs, and autoantibodies may in some cases be detected before the dog has clinical
signs of hypothyroidism.
Since thyroid hormone has an affect on almost every system in the body,
signs of hypothyroidism are widespread.
Because deficient thyroid hormone affects the function of all organ systems,
the signs of hypothyroidism vary.
Currently, the Chinese Shar - Pei is not on the list of dog breeds reported to have an increased prevalence of thyroid hormone autoantibodies (Nachreiner RF, et al: Prevalence of serum thyroid hormone autoantibodies in dogs with clinical
signs of hypothyroidism.
If you notice that exposed skin is puffy, thick, dry and has a darker pigment than usual, and hair is sparse and brutal, those are
all signs of hypothyroidism.