Thyroid Problems in Dogs: What Owners Should Know

Thyroid problems in dogs can be hard to spot. The signs develop slowly and are easy to put down to age or other illnesses. Some breeds are more prone than others, and good breeders often test their breeding dogs' thyroid function throughout their lives.

What is canine thyroid disease?

The thyroid is a gland in the lower neck that releases hormones straight into the bloodstream. Those hormones set the pace of the body's metabolism, affecting energy, weight, skin and coat, and much more.

There are two ways it can go wrong:

1. Hypothyroidism — the gland makes too little hormone (underactive). This is by far the more common problem in dogs.
2. Hyperthyroidism — the gland makes too much (overactive). This is rare in dogs and is usually linked to a thyroid tumour.

Signs to watch for

The most common signs of an underactive thyroid in dogs include:

• thinning fur, hair loss or a dull coat
• flaky skin, or skin infections that keep coming back
• weight gain without eating more
• low energy and less interest in exercise
• feeling the cold

It's most often seen in middle-aged, medium to large breed dogs, including Golden Retrievers, Dobermans and Irish Setters. Desexed dogs may also be more prone.

How is it diagnosed and treated?

If your dog shows these signs, your vet can run blood tests to measure thyroid hormone levels. If your dog is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, treatment is usually a daily thyroid hormone tablet, with regular blood tests to get the dose right. Most dogs do very well on it.

A normal thyroid test when a dog is young doesn't mean it will stay normal for life, so it's worth retesting if signs appear later.

Where does diet fit in?

A good diet supports overall health, but it can't replace thyroid medication for a dog that needs it. Many members of the Original Turmeric User Group include turmeric in their dogs' diet as part of a healthy lifestyle. See how to feed turmeric to dogs.

If your dog is on thyroid medication, tell your vet before adding any supplement, including turmeric, so they can keep an eye on your dog's blood test results.

This article is general information and isn't a substitute for advice from your vet. If you're worried about your dog, please talk to your vet.