Is it common for Golden Retrievers to have hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a condition that is common in dogs, although the golden retriever, along with the Doberman pinscher and the Irish setter, seem to be more prone to hypothyroidism than other breeds.
When to take a golden retriever to the vet?
Take your Golden Retriever to the vet for an evaluation if you notice symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as mental slowness, weight gain, or a dull coat. If your vet diagnoses your dog with hypothyroidism, you will need to give it a thyroid hormone replacement medication, usually in the form of a tablet.
Is there a way to diagnose hypothyroidism in dogs?
While we do not yet know definitive breeding schemes that are effective in preventing hypothyroidism, the genetic basis in several breeds suggests that the use of affected dogs should be minimized in breeding programs. The diagnosis of hypothyroidism usually involves a panel of blood tests.
What kind of dog is most likely to have hypothyroidism?
For example, medium-sized to large dogs are more likely to suffer hypothyroidism that small or toy breeds. The golden retriever is predisposed, along with the Doberman, miniature Schnauzer, cocker spaniel, Irish setter, Dachshund, and Airedale terrier.
Hypothyroidism is a condition that is common in dogs, although the golden retriever, along with the Doberman pinscher and the Irish setter, seem to be more prone to hypothyroidism than other breeds.
What kind of dog is most likely to get hypothyroidism?
The cocker spaniel, miniature schnauzer, dachshund, Doberman pinscher, golden retriever, Airedale terrier and Irish setter also appear more likely to develop the disease. While rare, dogs can also develop hypothyroidism due to cancer of the thyroid gland.
What kind of medication should I give my Golden Retriever for his thyroid?
Medication that can cause thyroid suppression include corticosteroids and trimethoprim-sulphonamide antibiotics. Your vet may recommend not giving your dog this medication and allowing it to wash out of your dog’s system. This can then help your dog’s thyroid levels bounce back to normal. Allow the vet to run blood tests on your dog.
While we do not yet know definitive breeding schemes that are effective in preventing hypothyroidism, the genetic basis in several breeds suggests that the use of affected dogs should be minimized in breeding programs. The diagnosis of hypothyroidism usually involves a panel of blood tests.
