Specialist insurance for dogs
Specialist insurance for dogs
The thyroid is located in the neck and produces thyroid hormones such as thyroxine (T4). The thyroid essentially works like a thermostat for the body as it regulates different internal systems by sending the right amount of hormones to the right places. This also plays a large role in a dog's metabolism. When the thyroid doesn’t produce the right amount of hormones, major health conditions can occur.
Thyroid disease can be relatively common in dogs and can be treatable depending on the type of thyroid condition they have. Dog breeds that are likely to develop thyroid disease include:
Some common symptoms of thyroid disorder in dogs include:
Hypothyroidism is when there aren’t enough thyroid hormones being secreted, causing a dog's metabolism to slow. When thyroid levels are low it negatively affects all organs.
Furthermore, 95% of dogs develop hypothyroidism due to the direct destruction of the thyroid gland.
The symptoms of hyperthyroidism can vary depending on the dog. However, a common sign is that their metabolism has slowed. Other symptoms include:
There are a range of treatments for hypothyroidism, including:
Surgery usually occurs when a tumour is found and isn’t attached to the surrounding tissue. Surgery may also take place to remove the thyroid mass under the tongue or at the base of the heart. If this cannot be completed quickly, medication like methimazole will be prescribed to help the thyroid get back to normal.
If the tumour is attached to the surrounding tissue, surgery (thyroidectomy) can be used to remove part of the tumour. Chemotherapy and/or radiation will then be scheduled to treat the tumour cells that haven’t been removed.
Aspiration therapy pneumonia is commonly a complication after surgery meaning dogs should be kept an eye on after surgery is completed. Aspiration pneumonia is when the dog's lungs inflame due to material that’s been inhaled, such as food, regurgitation or vomiting.
If metastatic cancer is present, radiation can be used. It may also be used if surgery is too dangerous.
Chemotherapy tends to be used to treat hyperthyroidism caused by a cancerous thyroid mass. Three of the most effective drugs used include toceranib phosphate (Palladia), doxorubicin, and cisplatin.
Hyperthyroidism can be caused by diets of commercial raw meat and/or supplements that use seaweed or kelp. Stopping the consumption of these can help treat hyperthyroidism.
For dog owners who don’t want their dog to undergo surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, methimazole medication and Hills y/d diet can be prescribed to decrease the production of thyroid hormones. This can help manage hyperthyroidism, however, it won’t treat tumours. Without treatment, these can spread to the rest of the body.
Goiters is not a cancerous thyroid condition but is caused by another problem entirely.
Goiters are when the thyroid enlarges due to your dog having too much or too little iodine in their diet and inherited defects that impact the synthesis of thyroid hormones. It can also be caused by the consumption of lima beans and sweet potatoes, which affect thyroid function.
For dogs on commercial diets, goiters are rare and are mostly caused by genetic defects. It can also be developed as a side effect of trimethoprim-sulfa (a form of antibiotic).
Goiters can also be a symptom of congenital hypothyroidism, meaning your dog has had hypothyroidism since they were born. If you suspect your dog has goiters or you notice swelling around their neck you should take them to the vet immediately.
Some dog breeds are predisposed to autoimmune thyroiditis. These breeds include:
Autoimmune thyroiditis is caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland. As a result, hypothyroidism can be a sign of autoimmune thyroiditis. This type of thyroid disease can also be a sign of other disorders like lupus erythematosus, making it crucial that symptoms are picked up on and treated as soon as possible.
Thyroid cancer in dogs, also known as adenocarcinoma, is fairly uncommon and accounts for 1.2% - 3.8% of all tumours in dogs.
The exact cause of thyroid cancer in dogs is unknown but it’s believed to be caused by multiple factors such as:
If you’re looking to insure a dog with pre-existing thyroid conditions, complete our medical screening process today to see if we can cover you today.
This is where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing the neck to swell.
Low thyroid levels are referred to as hypothyroidism, which occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones.
Low thyroid or hypothyroidism is usually caused by one of two diseases:
Thyroid medication usually starts working within a few days and typically shows improvement within a couple of weeks, but this ultimately depends on the symptoms. For example, it may take months for a dog's hair to grow back if they lost it during their thyroid condition or treatment.
Thyroid cancer tends to spread quickly, with most dogs developing metastasis within two years.
Yes. Unfortunately, thyroid cancer can cause pain in dogs, particularly if tumours are large. Pain usually occurs when:
Thyroid issues such as hypothyroidism can cause irritability and aggression which take the form of growling, snapping and biting.
Yes. Low thyroids, also known as hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid, can cause symptoms due to the thyroid not producing enough hormones. Without the right amount of hormones being produced, the dog's metabolism and every organ in its body can be negatively affected, resulting in seizures.
