TROUBLESOME CRITTERS

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The thyroid gland is known as the master gland in the body because the hormone it secretes governs so many important cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, dermatologic, and other endocrine functions. The cause of hypothyroidism in the dog, as it is known, is primarily either an atrophy or glandular collapse, or may be related to an autoimmune destruction of the gland itself. A less common cause of primary thyroid disease is severe iodine deficiency with resulting goiter, but this doesn't occur commonly in dogs fed commercial diets.

The clinical signs of hypothyroidism can vary among dogs, but the overall effect is a reduced metabolic state. As a result, dogs with hypothyroidism tend to gain weight, sometimes to the point of obesity. They fatigue easily with exercise and become less active. Some even develop a marked intolerance to cold and may seek out heat sources such as registers or vents. They may become anemic because of their decreased metabolic rate and oxygen utilization.

Dogs with hypothyroidism are frequently presented to the veterinarian with primary complaints of skin and hair coat problems. Affected dogs lack luster to their coat and baldness of varying degrees occurs; a common characteristic is baldness of the tail. Owners may also complain that the nose changes color and indeed, it does become more pigmented. The skin becomes scaly and more prone to superficial infections, due to abnormal deposition of the upper layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum.

Your dog can be tested for this disease via two methods. One involves a simple blood test that checks for a subnormal level of thyroid hormone. The other involves actually stimulating the thyroid gland and analyzing a blood sample afterward to assess the amount of thyroid hormone produced. Although rather expensive, the second method is preferred and considered to be a more accurate method of assessing an animal suspected of having the disease.

Hypothyroidism can be treated with long-term oral-replacement therapy. Most dogs are supplemented with thyroid hormone on a once- to twice-a-day basis. The skin lesions and changes in hair coat may require several months to return to normal, but for the most part, this is considered a treatable disease in middle-age to geriatric animals.

Dear Andrea:

My two-year-old, 125-pound, Great Dane doesn't enjoy being indoors. I built him an insulated house and am considering a heating element with his straw bed. Any advice?

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