Recognising hypothyroidism

Symptoms often develop slowly over a period of time and are frequently mistaken as part of the ageing process.

Some of the more noticeable signs include:

Skin and Coat

• Hair may become brittle or thinner, easily pulled out or grows back with difficulty
• Hair loss often occurs on both sides of the body and occasionally on the ears and tail
• A hairless nose may also be an early symptom of hypothyroidism
• Skin may become darker or produce dry or oily dandruff (seborrhoea)
• Hypothyroidism may also cause skin infections and ear infections
• Some dogs take on a “tragic” appearance in the face. This is a result of water retention (oedema)

Metabolic

Your dog may:

• Become more lethargic
• Display exercise intolerance
• Gain weight despite no changes to their eating habits

Changes in your dog’s behaviour

• It is known that thyroid hormone deficiency can impact on the origin and expression of numerous other behavioural and attention disorders. These include unexpected and unprovoked aggression towards both animals and humans brought upon by anxiety or anxiousness and anxiety with unfamiliar situations and sounds.

Not all dogs react in the same way and your dog may not necessarily display all these signs. Wherever possible it is always a good idea to keep a note of the changes you see in your dog.

If you become concerned about your dog’s health and welfare you should consult your veterinary surgeon.