Hypothyroidism in Dogs: Causes, Clinical Signs, and Diagnosis
HYPOTHYROIDISM
Dr. Vivek Kr. Singh
Assistant Professor
Department of Veterinary Clinical
Complex
UNIT-3
It is an
endocrine disorder
due to
hypothalmic
pituitary-thyroid axis dysfunction
resulting in
impaired (reduced) secretion of thyriod
hormones and related classical cascade of
clinical signs
•
The disorder is
most common in dogs
and
rare
in other domestic animals
•
Medium to large sized breeds
of
4-10 years
of
age are most commonly affected
•
Golden Retriver, Doberman, Irish Setter etc.
Etiology
•
More than
95% of clinical cases
in dogs are due to
•
Primary dysfunction
of the thyroid gland
•
Secondary hypothyroidism
is
pituitary
dependent
hypothyroidism
Immune mediated
lymphocytic thyroidits
Idiopathic atrophy of thyroid gland
Rarely congenital hypothyroidism occurs due to dysgenesis of thyroid gland
during foetal life (Juvenile onset)
Clinical findings
•
The deficiency of thyroid hormone affects
functions of all organs and systems, therefore
results in variable clinical signs
•
Dullness
•
Lethargy
•
Exercise intolerance
•
Weight gain (without a corresponding increase
in diet)
Cont…
•
Hypothermic (Seek warm places)
•
Dry skin
•
Puffiness of upper eye lid
•
Excessive shedding of hair
•
Non- pruritic bilaterally symmetrical
alopecia
•
Alopecia involves ventral/ lateral trunk, thighs
and dorsum of the tail
•
Rat tail appearance
is common
•
Thickened skin folds above eyes
•
Reproductive disturbances
•
Infertility
•
Abortion
•
Poor litter survival
•
Lack of libido
•
Testicular atrophy
Rat Tail appearance
Dullness/ sitting in warm places
Alopecia
Puffy upper eyelids
Diagnosis
•
Clinical signs
•
Hematology reveals
normocytic
normochromic non-regenerative anae
mia
•
High cholesterol level
•
Determination of
free
T
4
most accurate
laboratory diagnostic method
•
Biopsy of thyroid
to differentiate
primary and
secondary
hypothyroidism
Treatment
•
Thyroid hormone replacement
therapy is
necessary for the rest of the dog’s life
•
Thyroxin (
T
4
) is the compound of choice in
dogs
•
Administered
@ 0.02-0.04 mg/ kg bwt
orally
once or in divide doses
•
Serum thyroid hormone should be monitored
frequently to avoid thyrotoxicosis
Hypothyroidism in dogs is an endocrine disorder characterized by reduced secretion of thyroid hormones, leading to a range of clinical signs such as lethargy, weight gain, and hair loss. Common in medium to large breeds, this condition can result from primary thyroid dysfunction or pituitary-dependent factors. Diagnosis involves evaluating clinical signs, hematological parameters, and free T4 levels, with treatment typically involving hormone replacement therapy.
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Presentation Transcript
HYPOTHYROIDISM UNIT-3 Dr. Vivek Kr. Singh Assistant Professor Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex
It is an endocrine disorder due to hypothalmic pituitary-thyroid axis dysfunction resulting in impaired (reduced) secretion of thyriod hormones and related classical cascade of clinical signs
The disorder is most common in dogs and rare in other domestic animals Medium to large sized breeds of 4-10 years of age are most commonly affected Golden Retriver, Doberman, Irish Setter etc.
Etiology More than 95% of clinical cases in dogs are due to Primary dysfunction of the thyroid gland Immune mediated lymphocytic thyroidits Idiopathic atrophy of thyroid gland Rarely congenital hypothyroidism occurs due to dysgenesis of thyroid gland during foetal life (Juvenile onset) Secondary hypothyroidism is pituitary dependent hypothyroidism
Clinical findings The deficiency of thyroid hormone affects functions of all organs and systems, therefore results in variable clinical signs Dullness Lethargy Exercise intolerance Weight gain (without a corresponding increase in diet)
Cont Hypothermic (Seek warm places) Dry skin Puffiness of upper eye lid Excessive shedding of hair Non- pruritic bilaterally symmetrical alopecia Alopecia involves ventral/ lateral trunk, thighs and dorsum of the tail Rat tail appearance is common
Thickened skin folds above eyes Reproductive disturbances Infertility Abortion Poor litter survival Lack of libido Testicular atrophy
Rat Tail appearance Dullness/ sitting in warm places Alopecia Puffy upper eyelids
Diagnosis Clinical signs Hematology normochromic non-regenerative anaemia High cholesterol level Determination of free T4most accurate laboratory diagnostic method Biopsy of thyroid to differentiate primary and secondary hypothyroidism reveals normocytic
Treatment Thyroid hormone replacement therapy is necessary for the rest of the dog s life Thyroxin (T4) is the compound of choice in dogs Administered @ 0.02-0.04 mg/ kg bwt orally once or in divide doses Serum thyroid hormone should be monitored frequently to avoid thyrotoxicosis
