Love your pet… love your vet
Thyroid problems – is your pet affected? Most of us have heard of the thyroid gland, but did you know that thyroid problems are surprisingly common in our pets?
The thyroid glands consist of two lobes, located on either side of the trachea (the windpipe) in your pet’s neck. Usually they are not noticeable and can’t be easily felt through the skin.
The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormone which regulates your pet’s metabolic rate. Too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) speeds up the body’s metabolism, whilst too little (hypothyroidism) slows it down.
Hyperthyroidism is a common condition in older cats. Most frequently they develop a benign growth (or goitre) which produces excess thyroid hormone. The symptoms of this include rapid weight loss despite a ravenous appetite, hyperactivity, drinking excessively and gastrointestinal signs such as sickness and diarrhoea. When the thyroid level is too high, it also puts pressure on the other body organs with associated high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney damage.
Diagnosis is usually based on clinical signs and a blood test. Once thyroid disease is diagnosed, medication can be started to allow your pet to
put on weight and reduce the adverse clinical signs. Other treatment options include special diets, surgery to remove the affected glands and radioactive iodine at a specialist centre.
Hypothyroidism – dogs can sometimes develop an under-active thyroid and some breeds may be more prone to hypothyroidism. Lowered production of thyroid hormone leads to a decrease in the metabolic rate, usually leading to weight gain (with no increased appetite) and generalised lethargy. Other signs often include coat problems and recurrent skin and ear infections.
Diagnosis of hypothyroidism can be trickier, but in confi rmed cases, daily treatment with oral thyroid supplements can be very successful in treating this condition.
Once on treatment, your pet may require monitoring blood tests and weight checks to make sure they are doing well. If you notice any of the symptoms above in your pet, or are concerned that your pet might be suffering from thyroid disease, we recommend contacting your vet.
Chris Devlin BVSc MRCVS Vet and Partner at Hillside Veterinary Centre
Love your pet… love your vet
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