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Dutchtown Animal Hospital

13604 Eads Road

Prairieville, LA 70769 USA

(225) 677-9900

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  • Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism

  • Created in We Help Your Pet With, Chronic Conditions
Image of a dog.

Hypothyroidism is the natural deficiency of thyroid hormone and is the most common hormone imbalance of dogs. This deficiency is produced by several different mechanisms. The most common cause (at least 95% of cases) is immune destruction of the thyroid gland. It can also be caused by natural atrophy of the gland, by dietary iodine deficiency, neoplasia (primary or metastatic) of the thyroid gland or (rarely) as a congenital problem. Hypothyroidism is most common in medium to large breeds of dogs that are middle aged (4 to 10 years) but can occur in any dog.

Hypothyroidism is extremely rare in cats and is most commonly seen in cats following bilateral thyroid removal or radioactive iodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. This is often transient and usually does not require therapy. Rarely cats can have congenital hypothyroidism.

Thyroid hormone serves as a sort of volume dial for metabolism. Since virtually every cell in the body can be affected by thyroid hormone it is not surprising that reduced levels of thyroid hormone can lead to symptoms in multiple body systems. A recent published survey of hypothyroid dogs showed the following percentages of symptoms:

88% had some kind of skin abnormality
40% had hair loss (often on the tail or on both sides of the trunk and flanks ).
22% had skin infections
14% had dry brittle coats with hair that could easily be pulled out
49% were obese
48% were described as lethargic or listless at home
36% were anemic
80% had an increase in blood cholesterol

Hypothyroidism is treated with the oral administration of thyroid hormone, usually given twice daily for the life of the dog. Periodic blood testing is recommended; it is important to know if the medication dose is too low or too high. Thyroid supplement is a safe medication but if it is not given in sufficient doses the patient will not be adequately treated. If the dose is too high excessive water consumption, weight loss, and restlessness can result. Once a pet is started on thyroid supplementation, it is recommended to check a T4 level in two to three weeks, with the blood draw between 4 to 6 hours after the morning dose.Once the correct dose is found, it is recommended to perform a T4 every six to twelve months.

Hyperthyroidism in Cats

This is a very common disease of the middle aged to older cat. A tumor (97% are benign) on the thyroid gland starts producing too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms are usually weight loss in spite of eating well and vomiting. Other signs you might see are diarrhea, a dull and flaky hair coat, and personality changes. This disease usually can be easily diagnosed with a blood test, although occasionally we need a special test called a technesium scan to diagnose the early, borderline cases.

There are three basic methods of treatment: radioactive iodine, surgery, or an oral medication called methimazole (Tapazole). For most cats, the best treatment is radioactive iodine. In 97% of the cases, it is a one-time treatment. The biggest disadvantage is that the treatment needs to be done at a special facility, and the cat needs to be hospitalized for usually 5 to 10 days. In the past, surgery was a common treatment, but it is performed less frequently as the problem seems to recur on the other gland. Treating with Tapazole is also common, but has the disadvantage that it is life long and the cat needs blood tests to monitor the thyroid level and to check for adverse effects.

The disease of hyperthyroidism can actually help the kidneys. If the cat has both kidney disease and hyperthyroidism, it is not a candidate for radioactive iodine and the dose of Tapazole may need to be adjusted. Kidney tests are also monitored when a cat is being treated for hyperthyroidism.

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    • Birds
    • Cats
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    • Ferrets
    • Rabbits
    • Reptiles
      • Lizards
      • Turtles
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  • "The staff is amazing and they go beyond what is expected for my fur babies. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this clinic and everyone from the front desk to the back is simply wonderful."
    D. Rayborn
  • "Super nice people and great service. The staff follows-up and provides a very welcoming feeling."
    D. Stuntz, Prairieville
  • "The vet stayed in our room addressing our concerns thoroughly. We didn't feel rushed and I can tell that the staff really enjoys their jobs. We have switched both of our dogs to Dutchtown now and look forward to working with them in the future."
    T. O'Bannon
  • "Amazing service. The receptionist acted like they loved helping me and loved my animals like their own."
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  • "Everyone is so friendly and greets Max like his long lost friend. We are always completely satisfied with all the services provided each and every visit."
    J. Strain, Gonzales
  • "Staff was great and made us feel welcome on our first visit."
    J. Constantin
  • "I have been going to DAH since it opened & I always will! I feel safe bringing my sweet dogs & cat there knowing that they will be taken care of & we will all be treated with respect! I love the staff there especially Dr. Grayson!! Thanks y’all!!"
    Trisitin Murphy
  • "They genuinely care about you and your pet. We all sat on the floor and cried together when we had to put our dog down. Very caring vet."
    K. Kelly
  • "Dr. Grayson saved our kitty's life. She was missing for 6 weeks and was found emaciated, severely dehydrated, and had a damaged liver. She was only a couple of days away from death. Many vets might have thought it was hopeless and recommended putting her down, but not Dr. Grayson. Best of all, we were able to use our Care Credit, which gave us 6 months no interest to pay the bill off. Thank you Dr. Grayson and all the staff at Dutchtown Animal Hospital!!"
    Crystal M. / Prairieville, LA

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