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Hypothyroidism in dogs: symptoms and treatment

Problems with the thyroid gland can also occur in dogs. One of the possible impairments is hypothyroidism. In the following paragraphs, we will explain the symptoms that can be noticed in your four-legged friend. You will also learn how hypothyroidism in dogs can be treated.

What is the function of the thyroid gland in dogs?

The thyroid gland is a hormone gland located on the left and right sides of your dog's neck. Just like in you, the thyroid gland produces various thyroid hormones in your dog. The hormones produced in the thyroid gland are needed for metabolism and cell growth, among other things. If this process is disturbed, this can have far-reaching consequences.


If the thyroid gland produces too many hormones, it is called hyperthyroidism. If, on the other hand, it produces too few hormones, this is called hypothyroidism. Both functional disorders can occur in dogs and lead to a range of complaints, although hyperthyroidism is less common in dogs than hypothyroidism.

Causes of hypothyroidism in dogs

It is usually not easy to determine the exact cause of hypothyroidism in dogs. Autoimmune diseases often play a role in its development. These lead to the immune system attacking the body's tissue, causing chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland. This in turn leads to the gradual destruction of the tissue and increasingly impairs the performance of the thyroid gland.

What role does diet play with regard to hypothyroidism?

Since the thyroid hormones T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) are iodine-containing hormones, it is important for their formation that the dog's diet contains a sufficient amount of iodine. Unfortunately, this does not mean that any hypothyroidism that may develop in dogs can be prevented by diet.


Nevertheless, concerning the health and well-being of your four-legged friend, you should of course make sure that you provide him with all the vital nutrients he needs with the help of high-quality dog food.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism in dogs

Despite its small size, the thyroid gland is very important because of the thyroid hormones it produces. Among other things, it is crucial for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Accordingly, an underactive thyroid gland can cause various, mostly unspecific symptoms in dogs.

If your dog suffers from hypothyroidism, the following symptoms may be noticeable:

  • Weight gain
  • Indifference
  • Increased need for sleep
  • Dark discolouration of the skin
  • Dry skin
  • Scaling
  • Sensitivity to cold
  • Ear infections
  • Water retention in the head area
  • Skin infection
  • Brittle coat

In addition, hypothyroidism in dogs can also become noticeable through behavioural problems. Affected animals can, for example, tend to be more aggressive or react very anxiously at times.

Diagnosis of hypothyroidism in dogs

Hypothyroidism is particularly common in medium to large breeds of dogs. It usually affects older animals. In young dogs, however, hypothyroidism is rather the exception. For this reason, veterinarians recommend measuring the thyroid hormone T4 as an integral part of preventive examinations for older dogs.


When you notice possible symptoms of hypothyroidism in your dog, such a blood test is indispensable. If it turns out that the values of your four-legged friend are indeed too low, the next step is to determine the cause. In addition to hypothyroidism, the administration of certain medications and various other diseases can also be responsible in this case.

Treatment of hypothyroidism in dogs

If the vet has diagnosed your dog with hypothyroidism, you must assume that your four-legged friend will have to take tablets for the rest of his life. The active ingredient in these tablets is called levothyroxine. This is an artificially produced thyroid hormone that is identical to their own body's T4.


The daily administration of the tablets compensates for the insufficient formation of T4 in the dog's thyroid gland. It is crucial for the success of the treatment that the dosage of the medication is exactly adapted to the four-legged patient. After about six weeks, your dog will then have to visit the vet again to check the hormone level in his blood. In the future, corresponding control appointments will then be necessary twice a year.

Prognosis for dogs with hypothyroidism

Treatment with levothyroxine usually works well for dogs with hypothyroidism. After just one or two weeks, it can usually be observed that the four-legged friends become more lively again. In addition, there is usually a noticeable weight loss within the first two months.


However, it usually takes several months until the symptoms caused by hypothyroidism have completely disappeared in your dog. Patience is therefore required at first, especially with regard to existing skin changes and problems with the coat. Nevertheless, the prognosis for dogs with hypothyroidism is generally good with professional treatment, so you can assume that your four-legged friend will have a good time without excessive restrictions to his quality of life despite his hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism in dogs - our conclusion

As you can see, hypothyroidism can have serious consequences for your dog's health. It is therefore very important that you take existing symptoms seriously and react promptly. The sooner treatment is started, the better the symptoms associated with your dog's hypothyroidism can be managed.


Therefore, do not hesitate to consult a veterinarian promptly and do not forego regular check-ups. These are very important, especially for older dogs, to notice problems such as hypothyroidism as early as possible.

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