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Irish Red and White Setter
Irish (Red) Setter
Gordon Setter
Shineon Kennels
flourishingfairies@globalzone.co.za
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Hypothyroidism
The thyroid glands, found in the neck, secrete hormones
that control the basic metabolic rate of the entire body. Hypothyroidism means
that low levels of the thyroid hormone, thyroxine, are present and that the
body then has a slow metabolism. Golden Retrievers, Doberman
Pinschers, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Irish Setters and the Miniature
Schnauzer are the breeds most commonly affected, but any breed can have the
disorder. The onset of symptoms is usually noticed in middle age. When thyroid
hormone is absent, the normal function of almost every cell in the body
declines.
Hypothyroidism is one of the most common
endocrine (hormonal) disorders of dogs. In this condition, the thyroid gland
does not produce the hormone thyroxin. Thyroxin is responsible for regulating many metabolic
processes as well as having effects on the heart, respiratory centres, bone,
red blood cell formation, and development of puppies and young dogs.
Hypothyroidism is most commonly due to
inflammation of the thyroid gland or atrophy (deterioration) of the gland or due to low production of a stimulating hormone by the
pituitary gland in the brain. This condition can also occur secondary to removal
of the gland, cancers of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus or it can be
congenital (the animal is born with the disease). It seems to have an
inheritable factor in congenital cases.
Noticeable
changes in a dog with hypothyroidism are:
Behavioural problems
Cardiomyopathy, or heart
problems
Chronic offensive odour, or bad smell
Drooping eyelids, or hawling
Finding warm places to sleep even in summer due to a
dislike of, and intolerance to, cold
Hair becomes coarse and brittle
Increased pigmentation of the skin – the skin darkens
and becomes thicker
Infertility
Lethargy
Loss of hair from the back and flanks, around the tail
and on the nose; in a symmetrical pattern
Mental dullness
Putting on fat whilst eating normally – obesity and
unexplained weight gain
Reproductive functions are affected; with females
having irregular, or no, seasons
Scaly skin and
seborrheas (dandruffs) are present
Short lower jaw in puppies with congenital
hypothyroidism
Stunted growth in puppies
Increased hair-shedding
It is important to note that
not all symptoms will be present in a single dog, and the severity of symptoms
will vary greatly between dogs.
Iodine and selenium deficiencies are
known to cause hypothyroidism. Selenium is found in meat, meaty raw
bones, fish, garlic, eggs, alfalfa. Iodine may be found in iodated salt, eggs,
meat, meaty raw bones, kelp, fish, alfalfa.
Cruciferous vegetables (like cabbage,
broccoli, cauliflower) may possibly interfere with thyroid function. If you
suspect hypothyroidism in your dog, ensure that your dog has zero access to
them! Hypothyroid dogs utilise animal-source
Essential Fatty Acids, such as Omegas 3 and 6, better than those from plant
sources. Fish body oil, like halibut oil, and eggs are suggested rather than
flaxseed oil in this instance.
All meat diets are known to cause
hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism
is probably the major cause of aggression and mood swings in the usually
sweet-tempered and steady Irish Setter.
The condition may be mild and few symptoms presented. However,
where infertility is experienced hypothyroidism should be suspected and tested
for. The test requires that blood be drawn from your dog. Proper
diagnosis of low thyroid activity requires a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
response test in addition to the standard T4 test.
This condition is easily managed, once
diagnosed, by giving thyroid hormone replacement (L-thyroxin) tablets daily.
Where congenital hypothyroidism is present, or there are glandular masses,
results from hormone replacement with L-thyroxin are less spectacular. It may
take up to 6 weeks for the treatment to show improvement in the dog’s overall
condition. It often takes just one week for the dog to perk up. Daily or twice daily oral thyroid
replacement works well for most dogs and is relatively inexpensive. Treatment
needs to continue for the rest of the dog’s life.
Homeopathic treatments include Iodum or
Thyroidinum in addition to the Bach Flower Remedy, Olive. Consult with a
homeopath or homeopathic Vet for the correct dosages suited to your dog.
Please consult with your Vet should you
attempt any home remedy.
False symptoms of hypothyroidism can be
found in dogs in which the thyroid gland is working normally, but the adrenals
are not. A lack of the adrenal hormone, cortisol, can limit the uptake
of the thyroid hormone. This means that in this instance, there is plenty of
thyroid hormone around but the cells cannot use it.
Von Willebrand’s
Disease,
a bleeding disorder, can sometimes be a condition secondary to hypothyroidism
(underactive thyroid), rather than a primary disorder. In these cases, treating
the underlying hypothyroidism will remove the VWD.
Diagnosis is based on the
history and clinical signs, blood testing, serum thyroid testing, or more
specialized thyroid stimulation tests. Many factors and other diseases can
influence the production of thyroid hormone. Some dogs have been found to have
ordinarily low serum thyroid levels but have normal thyroid function in the
body. All these factors should play a role into the final diagnosis of
hypothyroidism.
Breeds that are commonly affected:
Airedales,
Cocker Spaniels,
Dachshunds,
Doberman Pinschers,
Golden Retrievers,
Great Danes,
Miniature Schnauzers,
Old English sheepdogs.
web
links to additional information regarding hypothyroidism:
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Michigan State University Memo on Hypothyroidism |
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e-mail: flourishingfairies@globalzone.co.za
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