Hypothyroidism in Pets and Companion Animals
Hypothyroidism is caused by a lack of production of the metabolism-regulating hormone thyroxine by the animal’s thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in a dog or cat’s neck and is responsible for producing many of the hormones used in various chemical processes in the body, including the regulation of metabolism and other cellular processes. The thyroid’s output is usually dictated by signals from the “master gland,” the pituitary. But despite the signals received from the pituitary the thyroid, in an affected animal, cannot produce the desired amount of the hormone
Hypothyroidism in cats is very uncommon and usually transitory in nature. Common causes in cats include surgery or radioiodine treatment for hyperthyroidism (much more common in cats). In dogs however, hypothyroidism is very common, though generally not life-threatening.
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Hypothyroidism is more common in middle-aged and older dogs and certain breeds including boxers, Doberman pinchers, golden retrievers, cocker spaniels, and dachshunds.
Signs and Effects of Hypothyroidism in Pets
Cats are rarely affected by hypothyroidism. When they are, the symptoms include weight gain, lethargy, muscle weakness, inactivity, constipation, mental dullness, matted hair, loss of hair, unkempt appearance, low body temperature, and a delay in the coming in of teeth.
In dogs, the first sign of hypothyroidism is hair loss, typically first seen on the trunk of the animal, their tail, and the backs of the rear legs. Other signs include flaky skin without redness or itchiness, sluggishness, a thinning and dulling of the coat, weight gain, intolerance to cold, a slowing of the heart rate, muscle loss, and a propensity for contracting ear and toenail
First I will be discussing about the thyroid gland, so the thyroid gland is a gland in the neck that secretes hormones. These hormones regulate growth and development, and metabolism. The main hormone secreted is Thyroxine. So when a person like Margie is diagnosed with hypothyroidism it means the thyroid gland does not secrete enough hormones. As many females get over the age of 50, they are more at risk of developing hypothyroidism. The symptoms
Hypothyroidism develops when the thyroid gland does not produce enough of certain hormones. (“Hypothyroidism”, n.d.). Hypothyroidism can be broken down even further. The two types of hypothyroidism are congenital hypothyroidism or acquired hypothyroidism. According to Porth 2011, “Congenital hypothyroidism develops prenatally and is present at birth. Acquired hypothyroidism develops later in life because of primary disease of the thyroid gland or secondary to disorders of hypothalamic or pituitary origin.” (p. 786). Some common symptoms include increased sensitivity to cold, dry skin, fatigue, constipation, drowsiness, hypothermia and muscle weakness (“Hypothyroidism”, n.d.).
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is a condition where the thyroid gland is attacked by a variety of cell and antibody-mediated immune processes. It was discovered by Hakaru Hashimoto in Germany in 1912. This disease was the first to be recognized as an autoimmune disease. Hashimoto’s can lead to hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid does not produce enough hormones in order to meet the bodies needs.
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that was discovered by Robert Graves in 1835. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the thyroid gland and causes hyperthyroidism. Graves’ disease occurs when the antibodies like thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin and thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAbs) attack the thyroid gland as if it were a foreign object or a virus of some sort. This disease is the most common type of hyperthyroidism. Attacking the thyroid gland in such a manner makes it excessively overproduce the hormone thyroxine which controls the body’s metabolic rate. Heightened activity of the thyroid can increase the body’s metabolism by 60% to 100%. (Weeks 34-35).
Today in America thyroid disease is becoming a much larger issue and the worse part of this problem is that many people are not yet diagnosed. This is due to the lack of education and awareness about thyroid disease. There are many different types of diseases but the one that I am passionate about is hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid is when the thyroid is no longer able to produce triiodothyronine, also known as T3 and thyroxine, also referred to as T4. Some of the symptoms include unexpected weight gain, tiredness, depression, or slow movements and thoughts. Most of the time many people notice the way that their bodies act on what they are feeling to their physicians. Many Americans struggle with this disease that
The following presentation will help this class in the teaching of a patient with hypothyroidism. The expected outcome of this presentation for the patient will be as follows:
Cats infected with the Feline Leukemia Virus are found worldwide, although the rates vary depending on age group and the general lifestyle of the cats. The virus is transmitted in a number of ways. It is commonly spread through body fluids, such as blood or saliva, or other bodily excrements. An infected cat eating or drinking with an uninfected cat could cause transmission, as well as an infected cat sharing a litter box with an uninfected cat. It can also be spread through grooming. Another common means of infection is a bite, especially in cats living primarily outside. The virus can also be spread in utero or through a kitten’s consumption of milk if the mother is infected. Feline Leukemia Virus is more common in kittens and young cats than in any other age group. A healthy cat that is in adulthood stand a much smaller chance of contracting the virus, especially if the cat has already been vaccination against ...
The thyroid gland is found in the front of the neck and produces two main hormones. The hormones are called thuroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3). Together these hormones regulate the body’s metabolism by increasing energy use in cells, regulate growth and development, help to maintain body temperature and aid in oxygen consumption. These two hormones are regulated by hormones produced by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The hypothalamus senses changes in body’s metabolic rate and releases a hormone known as thyropin-releasing hormone (TRH). This hormone then flows through connecting vessels to the pituitary gland which signals it to release another hormone. This hormone is known as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH then makes its way to the bloodstream until it reaches the thyroid where it is then signaled to activate T3 and T4 production [1]. This mechanism is controlled by a negative feedback loop meaning that when there is a sufficient amount of thyroid hormones in the blood stream, this will signal back to stop production of thyroid stimulating hormones. Complications occur when the thyroid hormones keep increasing even though there is already a sufficient amount of T3 and T4 in the blood stream. This process of over expression of thryroid hormones is known as hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a general term that includes any disease that has a consequence of an overabundance of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism is a general term but there are many variant diseases that are in the hyperthyroidism category. These diseases include diffuse toxic goiter, Basedow’s disease, thyrotoxicosis, Parry’s and Graves’ disease.
Cygan, R., & Rucker, L. (1983). Thyroid hormone replacement. Western Journal of Medicine, 1(2), 550-554.
Nutrition is a major importance in the prevention of diseases and also an important maintenance for pets with chronic disorders (congestive heart failure, renal disease, etc.). Certain prescription diets have been designed with the intent to either cure or prolong the patients’ well-being. The affects that malnutrition have on the cardiovascular system range from muscle loss/weakness, anemia from vitamin/mineral deficiencies, and loss of myocardial muscle from decreased protein intake (Webb et al., 1986). Certain vitamins and minerals such as iron, copper, folic acid, and B12 deficiencies will cause anemia. The loss of the blood to the cardiovascular system decreases the amount of oxygen delivered to the tissue, which causes elevation in the heart rate (tachycardia), because the heart is trying to compensate for the lack of
As a cat owner, you probably already know the signs that your cat is getting ready to vomit. These include lip licking, drooling, swallowing multiple times in succession and sometimes yowling. Retching sounds,
Among these disorders are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a disorder in which one is diagnosed for having and underactive thyroid. The probability for women over the age of sixty to develop an underactive thyroid is higher than those of other individuals. If left untreated it can potentially lead to obesity, joint pain, heart disease, and other health complications. On the contrary, hyperthyroidism is a disorder in which a person is diagnosed for having an overactive thyroid. This can cause nervousness and anxiety, hyperactivity, unexplained weight loss, and swelling of the thyroid gland which causes a noticeable lump to form on throat (known as a
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When you talk to pet owners about owning a cat versus a dog, it stirs up much controver-sy in many ways. By looking at both cats and dogs, the cat outweighs the dog in many ways, which makes the cat the superior selection when making a final decision on which one to get. Cats have very desirable qualities that make them an award winning choice to many owners. The qualities that appeal to most are the ability of the cat to live in small spaces, they do not eat large amounts of food for their meals, and they are very sedentary and independent in nature making them a low maintenance pet. One additional desired feature is cats are well suited for owners that have a very busy lifestyle and minimal time to give to their pet. This added feature
Congenital hypothyroidism is the most common disorder identified by routine newborn screening. It is found in about 1:3000 screened infants (Dussault, 1993). The major clinical features of untreated congenital hypothyroidism are growth retardation and delayed cognitive development leading to mental deficiency.