HYPOTHYROID DISEASE

A PET OWNER’S GUIDE TO DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

VETERINARY CONSULTING

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Pet:

Date:

Doctor:

ContactNumber:

Reason forAppointment:

Abaxis is your total on-site laboratory partner, offering the comprehensive and innovative VetScan line of diagnostic instruments and single-use rapid tests.

My next appointmentEvaluating your pet for possible low thyroid diseaseNAME [Patient Name]

AGE [Concern – Middle Age to Older Canines >4-10 yrs of age]

Breed: [Concern Breeds: Golden Retriever, Doberman pinscher, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Airedale, Old English Sheep Dog, Dachshund, Miniature Schnauzer, Cocker Spaniel, Poodle and Boxer]

Risk factors reviewed for hypothyroidism (low thyroid disease) – does your pet have any of the below concerns?1. Is your pet having weight gain or is obesity a problem? 2. Is your pet becoming more lethargic and depressed? 3. Does your pet excessively shed or have a poor hair coat? 4. Does your pet have dry flakey skin with odor and scaling? 5. Does your pet have recurrent ear infections? 6. Beginning to act “his or her age”? 7. Does your pet always seem to be seeking warm areas? If there are concerns, please make an appointment with a regional veterinarian that offers complete diagnostic care:

Hospital: Address:

Dr:

Phone Number: Notes from physical examination Clinical diagnostics recommended by veterinarian: Complete Blood Count Concerns: Anemia

Other Chemistry Concerns: Elevated Cholesterol

Other Urinalysis Concerns: Low Concentration of urine Abnormal Protein in urine

Abnormal Cells Other

Thyroid Blood Level Concerns: Low Thyroid Level

Other Diagnostics

NOTES:

YPOTHYROID disease is one of the most common hormonal diseases of dogs and can easily be diagnosed with routine blood testing. The disease is more common in senior dogs. The disease may occur at even a young age in certain breeds more prone to hypothyroidism. It is important to pay close attention to your pet’s physical and behavioral changes as they age in order to recognize the signs of hypothyroid disease which are noted below.

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Level 1* Chemistry Panel, Complete Blood Count

Level 2* Chemistry Panel, Complete Blood Count, Urinalysis

Level 3* Chemistry Panel, Complete Blood Count, Urinalysis, Thyroid Testing, Blood Pressure, Electrocardiogram

Testing recommendationsTesting recommendations are made based on your pet’s breed, age or history. These may include:

The thyroid gland is small and consists of two glands, one on each side of the trachea in the neck. This gland produces hormones called Thyroxine (tetraidothronine or T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Regulating body functions such as your dog’s oxygen consumption, bone formation and resorption, metabolism of body fat, protein production and the production of red blood cells, any malfunction in the

thyroid can affect every system in the body. Production of the thyroid hormones is controlled by another hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) produced by the pituitary gland found at the base of the brain. This cycle is illustrated below.

The normal thyroid gland

The T4 level of your pet will need to be monitored on a regular basis because the medication requirements over time can change. Your pet may lose weight, or its metabolic requirements may change necessitating ad-justments in the dose of medication.

If your pet has clinical signs or symptoms that may be consistent with hypothyroid disease, a T4 blood test should be performed in the office. If this test shows normal levels of T4, your pet likely does not have a thyroid problem, and other tests will be suggested to determine the cause of your pet’s symptoms.

However, if your pet does have a lower than normal level of T4 consistent with hypothyroid disease, there may be some further tests recommended to definitively diagnose your pet’s condition. Additional tests may be necessary because there are other disease states that can artificially lower T4 levels. Your veterinarian will discuss with you whether or not these tests are needed.

If your pet has signs consistent with hypothyroid disease, it is important to perform a complete blood count and full chemistry panel along with the T4 test. There are many other diseases that have symptoms that are very similar to those of hypothyroid disease. A full blood panel may reveal other diseases and help your doctor interpret all findings from the physical examination. Hypothyroid disease can often cause other problems that are important to understand, such as anemia, which may need to be treated.

If hypothyroid disease is confirmed in your pet, a daily medication will be prescribed which will be given for the duration of your pet’s life. This medication should return your pet’s hormone levels to normal and prevent the symptoms from returning.

It is important to perform a medication titration during the initial phases of treatment. This means that you will need to bring your pet in for routine T4 testing every few weeks until the proper dose of medication is determined.

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Post-treatment care

Hypothyroid disease is a condition that occurs because of an inadequate level of thyroid hormones in the body. This is usually because of a lack of hormone production most commonly due to either Lymphocytic Thyroiditis (thought to be an immune system disorder) or Idiopathic Thyroid Atrophy (destruction of the gland due to an unknown cause).

The signs of hypothyroid disease are related to low level of hormones being produced. This leads to a decrease in the overall body metabolism. Therefore, dogs with the disease often have one or more of the following clinical signs:

• Weight gain• Lethargy• Hair loss – usually on both sides of the body• Poor hair growth following clipping• Dry, dull coat• Increased thirst• Increased urination frequency and volume• Increased pigmentation of the skin• Skin infections• In-coordination or dragging of feet• Painless lameness

Hypothyroid disease

Signs of hypothyroid disease