Hypothyroidism

Euthyroid Sick Syndrome in Dogs: When Is Hypothyroidism not Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrine (hormonal) diseases I see in dogs. It occurs most frequently in middle-aged (4-10 years old) medium to large-breed dogs. Vulnerable breeds include: Doberman Pinschers Golden Retrievers Irish Setters Miniature Schnauzers Dachshunds Cocker Spaniels and Airedale Terriers Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland secretes less thyroid hormone than normal. Common causes include: inflammation…

by Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM

The Role of Thyroid in Dogs: What Does The Thyroid Gland Do?

What function does the thyroid have in the dog’s body? A while back, we talked about sick euthyroid syndrome – a condition that complicates the diagnosis of hypothyroidism in dogs. Say your veterinarian determines that your dog truly has hypothyroidism. What the thyroid gland does, and how does its dysfunction affects the body?. Thyroid gland: Image Pets Adviser What does…

by Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM

Hair Loss in a Boxer: Why Did Molly Start Going Bald?

What does it mean when your dog starts losing hair? What are the causes of hair loss in dogs? Shedding is when your dog loses old undercoat. Depending on the breed, it can be a lot of fur. Hair loss, however, is when your dog’s hair starts falling out, leaving bald areas. Molly’s story Molly was a young and healthy…

by Jana Rade

Canine Thyroid Replacement Therapy: Cookie Is Hypothyroid—Treatment Response Re-Check

So it’s been a bit over six weeks since we started Cookie’s therapy after she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The recommended timeline to check whether the prescribed dose is optimal is six to eight weeks after starting. It is a good idea to avoid any discrepancies with potential results variations between different labs. Therefore we decided to retest with Hemopet,…

by Jana Rade

Canine Hypothyroidism Diagnosis: Cookie is Hypothyroid

The hardest part of dealing with hypothyroidism in your dog is getting the proper diagnosis. Hypothyroidism is both over- and under-diagnosed at the same time. Diagnosing hypothyroidism is not straight-forward. If not tested correctly, there is a high likelihood of misdiagnosis. The main reason why your dog might get wrongly diagnosed with poor thyroid function is when your vet tests…

by Jana Rade

Jana Rade

I am a graphic designer by day, dog health advocate, dog writer, member of the Dog Writers Association of American and an award-winning author. Jasmine, the Rottweiler of my life, was the largest female from her litter. We thought we were getting a healthy dog. Getting a puppy from a backyard breeder was our first mistake. Endless veterinary visits without a diagnosis or useful treatment later, I realized that I had to take Jasmine's health care in my own hands. I learned the hard way that simply seeing a vet is not always enough. There is more to finding a good vet than finding the closest clinic down the street. And, sadly, there is more to advocating for your dog's health than visiting a veterinarian. It should be enough but it often is not. With Jasmine, it took five years to finally get a diagnosis for her initial issue. Unfortunately, other problems had snowballed for that in the meantime. Jasmine's health challenges became a crash course in understanding dog health issues and how to go about getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. I had to learn and I had to learn fast. Helping others through my challenges and experience has become my mission and Jasmine's legacy. I now try to help people how to recognize and understand signs of illness in their dogs, how to work with their veterinarian and when to seek a second opinion. My goal is to save others the steep curve of having to learn things the hard way as I did. That is the mission behind my blog and behind my writing. That is why I wrote Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog, which has turned out being an award-winning guide to dog owners . What I'm trying to share encompasses 20 years of experience.

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