Our furry friend can be affected by different disorders or diseases, and one of them is the Hypothyroidism. It is caused by poor activity of the thyroid gland, which produces less thioid hormones than it should.
If you are concerned that your friend may have it, I will explain how to tell if my dog has hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism in dogs always appears because the thyroid gland does not work as it should. This problem may be due to an autoimmune disease or because the gland itself has not developed well. In any case, the symptoms usually appear early, from the age of two, although you have to be very attentive since it can be affected at any age. But what are the symptoms? How can I know if my dog has this disease?
Symptoms of hypothyroidism in dogs
The symptoms of hypothyroidism in our friend are very similar to those of humans with this endocrine disorder. They are as follows:
- Weight gain: despite eating the same amount, the furry is gaining weight quickly.
- Apathy or lethargy: you feel tired, you don't want to play as much as you used to. You can spend the day lying down feeling weak.
- Alopecia: they can appear anywhere on the body, but always on both sides. The tail can also be affected. Of course, unlike other alopecia, those caused by endocrine disorders do not cause itching.
- Bradycardia: your heart beats more slowly.
What to do?
If you suspect that your dog has hypothyroidism, it is essential go to a vet. Once there, to know if you have it or not, they will do a blood test to know the levels of thyroid hormones. It is the most reliable study, and the one that will allow it to be diagnosed.
Once it is known, the professional will give you the most appropriate treatment, which may consist of administering hormones in pills so that little by little you feel better again.