Having a pet is a special, rewarding experience, but it also comes with responsibility. It is important to be familiar with common health issues that may impact your pet, including thyroid problems and their related effects on the skin. While it is more common in humans, low thyroid can be an issue for dogs as well. In this blog, we will explore the symptoms and treatment of this condition, as well as the potential impact it can have on a dog’s skin. We will discuss how to recognize a potential thyroid issue and the role of diagnosis and treatment in managing the condition in canines. This blog post is designed to provide pet owners with the information they need to understand how low thyroid can cause skin problems in their pets, and how to ensure that their canine companions live a long, healthy and happy life.
How is hypothyroidism in dogs diagnosed and treated?
It’s important to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to receive a formal diagnosis of hypothyroidism, which can negatively affect your dog’s quality of life if left untreated.
Although there may be several symptoms, this illness is not life-threatening, and treatment is not particularly expensive. Several blood tests may be performed by your veterinarian to determine the condition. For the rest of your dog’s life, he or she might recommend specific dosages of the synthetic hormone levothyroxine (L-thyroxine).
Additionally, there are treatments like low-dose natural hormone replacement, homeopathy, and glandulars, as well as fermented foods, high-quality, gluten-free natural foods, a lot of outdoor activity, and fluoride-free filtered water, which may aid in healing. Your veterinarian needs to determine which foods or substances your dog may be sensitive to so you can avoid them.
It may also be advised to include some naturally occurring fibrous foods like cooked green beans, carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, asparagus, lettuce, cooked spinach, and mushrooms.
Note: The tips offered in this article are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be veterinary advice.
How is hypothyroidism in dogs diagnosed?
Although hypothyroidism in dogs can cause a number of unsettling symptoms, the condition is not life-threatening and is usually treatable for a reasonable cost.
Your veterinarian may perform several blood tests on your dog to confirm a hypothyroidism diagnosis and gain a clear understanding of the hormone levels in your dog.
What are symptoms of hypothyroidism in dogs?
Watch for these common symptoms of hypothyroidism in your pooch:
As you might expect, certain skin conditions like dandruff and infections can cause discomfort in dogs. Muscles in the face may “droop” as a result of mucopolysaccarides building up.
However, despite the fact that hair loss primarily affects the body (as opposed to the head and legs), it is rarely accompanied by redness or itchy skin. Your dog’s skin can occasionally become thicker and more pigmented, especially in areas where it rubs up against itself, like the armpit.
Your dog’s ability to walk may also be impaired or his body may be weak as a result of abnormally functioning muscles and nerves, your veterinarian may notice. Additionally, his esophagus may be dilated, which may cause regurgitation. Although uncommon, the condition is also connected to infertility, blood vessel and heart problems, seizures, and other health problems.
The skin issues should go away once your veterinarian has adjusted his thyroid medication to a level that works for him, even though the skin infections may need to be treated.
FAQ
Can low thyroid cause skin issues in dogs?
You might observe one or more of the following signs of hypothyroidism in your dog: sores, scabs, and Recurring or chronic skin infections.
Can underactive thyroid cause skin problems?
Finally, hypothyroidism is sometimes caused by autoimmune disease. Myxedema, a condition where the skin becomes swollen and red, can result from this. Compared to other skin-drying conditions, myxedema is more specific to thyroid issues (16). Summary: Hypothyroidism commonly causes dry skin.
Does hypothyroidism cause itchy skin in dogs?
Dogs with hypothyroidism may also get itchiness and sores on their bodies from skin infections. The muscles in the face may droop as a result of the buildup of substances known as mucopolysaccharides, giving the dog a facial expression that is sometimes referred to as “tragic.” ”.
Can hyperthyroidism in dogs cause skin problems?
Recurrent skin infections are one sign that a pet’s thyroid gland isn’t functioning normally. Dry, flaky skin. Hair loss.