February 13, 2012
Posted in Common Pet Conditions, Pet Health, Pet Meds

Hypothyroidism can steal from your dog many of the things you love about it – its fun-loving personality, zest for life and constantly cheerful attitude. This hormone disease – the most common one among dogs – is a deficiency of the thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland sets the rate at which cells in the dog's body burn energy, so when there is a deficiency there, the dog often seems dull in body and soul.

Between 1 in 150 and 1 in 500 dogs has hypothyroidism, with breeds such as the golden retriever, Doberman Pinscher, Irish setter, Great Dane, Airedale terrier, miniature Schnauzer and others particularly prone to the disease. Your dog may have this condition if it is spending more time than usual lounging on its Pillow Dog Bed. In addition to physical lethargy, canines may also seem to have mental lethargy – seeming slower and more dull mentally. The dog's coat will also seem dull and dry with greasy dandruff, no matter how many times you wash it with pet shampoo like Oatmeal & Aloe Vera Shampoo or Epi-Soothe Oatmeal Cream Rinse. This condition can also eventually cause hair loss, because the dog's skin becomes so unhealthy. The characteristic hair loss of this condition is a "rat tail," when a dog's hair falls out all along its tail except for the end. Recurring
skin infections, seizures or infertility are other symptoms.

Your veterinarian can diagnose this condition with a number of tests, and will then prescribe pet drugs such as Soloxine to treat the condition. This daily pill is given to replace the hormone that the thyroid gland normally produces, regulating the dog's energy and metabolism. Your dog may have a better time swallowing it if it's concealed in yummy and healthy pet products like Greenies Pill Pockets. Once you begin treating your pooch, you may see an improvement in its overall "sparkle" in one to two weeks. The canine will seem more active and alert, and over a few months, skin conditions will also improve. Giving a supplement like Nordic
Naturals Omega-3 Pet may help restore scaly skin and dull coat. Prescription pet medication is the most likely to treat the condition, but some dogs benefit from homeopathic remedies like Be Well for Dogs, too. 

Related posts:

1. How to tell if your dog has hypothyroidism
2. Treating hypothyroidism in dogs
3. Does your pooch have a thyroid problem?
4. Why is my dog’s hair falling out?
5. Hungry, mean cat – could it be a hyper thyroid?