A
Properly Functioning Thyroid Gland is critical to your Dog's Health
The
thyroid gland -- two small butterfly-shaped lobes located in the neck
-- is extremely critical to your dog's or cat's health. This gland has
a number of functions, but is most well known for regulating your pet’s
metabolic rate.
In
hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland is underactive, and unable to secrete
enough thyroid hormone. This, in turn, decreases your dog’s metabolism.
Hypothyroidism is commonly caused by an auto-immune response; that is,
the body creates antibodies directed against the thyroid glands causing
their destruction. . This condition never occurs in cats.
What
are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
- Lethargic behavior such as a lack of interest in
play, frequent napping, tiring out on long walks
- Weight gain, sometimes without an apparent gain
in appetite
- Bacterial infections of the skin
- Dry skin
- Hair loss, especially on the trunk or tail (“rat’s
tail”)
- Discoloration or thickening of the skin where hair
loss has occurred
- Cold intolerance/seeking out warm places to lie down
- Slow heart rate
- Chronic ear infections
- Severe behavioral changes such as unprovoked aggression,
head tilt, seizures, anxiety and/or compulsivity
- Depression
How
is hypothyroidism diagnosed?
All diagnosis begins with an examination and taking of
a history. Your veterinarian will be looking for clinical signs of hypothyroidism
during a thorough physical examination of the dog, and will ask questions
about your dog’s health and behavior. If hypothyroidism is suspected,
a blood test will be ordered. While there are many different tests the
first and principal one is for T4. Dr. Shawn Messonnier in Natural
Health Bible for Dogs and Cats states that this disease is
so common in middle-aged to older dogs that any dog exhibiting chronic
itchy skin and irritations should be tested for its level of T4 - a
very simple and inexpensive blood test. Many dogs go through expensive
allergy tests when the cause of allergy-like symptoms is as simple as
hypothyroidism.
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So,
You Want to Get a Puppy
If you are thinking about getting a puppy I can give no better advice than
to read The
Art of Raising a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete before going
any further. These Orthodox Catholic monks have dedicated themselves to
breeding and training German shepherd dogs at their monastery situated in
rural upper New York State, and have written a prior book entitled How to
be Your Dog's Best Friend. Both these books communicate a philosophy of
relating to "man's best friend" that is based on their keen understanding
of the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of the canine species.
You must understand, as they point out in this excellent book, that "Caring
for a dog is a lot of hard work. Canis familiaris, the pet dog, cannot take
care of itself. From the moment of its adoption until the day of its death
(which, barring accident or illness, can be after fifteen years or more),
it is a highly dependent creature that will count on you for all the essentials
of canine living: food, water, shelter, exercise, training, and periodic
veterinary care. But beyond these, the principal need a puppy has throughout
its life is social. It requires an owner who is a companion in the fullest
sense of the word. Can your see yourself or your family in such a role?"
If you can
truly answer affirmatively, then begin the learning process to determine
which puppy might best fit your personal and family situation and needs.
Reading chapters 7 through 11 of The Art of Raising a Puppy would be the
best place to start. If you think a mixed-breed pup is right for you,
follow this reading by visiting your local animal shelter or humane association.
In many cases the trained staff and volunteers should be able to assist
you with identifying the right kind of puppy for you. You will also have
the satisfaction of knowing that you are very likely saving the puppy
from being euthanized. If the puppy is very young your condition of adoption
may include paying for the spaying or neutering in advance. However, in
many cases you will not have any information on the history or prior care
of the puppy, and will have to make a very careful decision based upon
the way the puppy interacts with you at the shelter.
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