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Your puffy-looking,
sluggish dog may have a thyroid problem.
Hypothyroidism is caused by a thyroid hormone deficiency in the body.
People suffering from low thyroid levels may feel sluggish or gain weight
easily. The same holds true in dogs. But affected pets may display other
symptoms because the thyroid hormone, known as thyroxine, affects just
about every organ in the body.
Hypothyroidism most often occurs when a dog's immune system destroys
its thyroid gland, which is located just below the throat. This condition
is called autoimmune hypothyroidism. In other dogs, the thyroid gland
wastes away, and the cause is unknown. Occasionally, hypothyroidism
is present at birth and leads to a form of dwarfism.
Although hypothyroidism is rare in cats, the symptoms resemble those
seen in dogs. In a few cases, hypothyroidism occurs in cats treated
for an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Cats rarely have the form
of hypothyroidism that leads to dwarfism.
Risk Factors and Detection
Middle-aged dogs are at higher risk for autoimmune hypothyroidism, and
females are twice as susceptible. Breeds that are predisposed to this
condition include Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Labrador retrievers,
Doberman Pinschers, Miniature Schnauzers, Irish Setters, Poodles, Dachshunds,
Boxers, Great Danes, Shetland Sheepdogs, chows, Bulldogs, Airedales,
Pomeranians, and Old English Sheepdogs.
No particular breed or gender is linked to the rare congenital form
of hypothyroidism, which prevents normal development. Affected dogs
are much smaller than their littermates, have large heads and short
legs, and usually maintain their puppy hair coat. Avoid breeding dogs
who have any form of hypothyroidism because the condition may be hereditary.
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