Caring for Your Hypothyroid Dog

It is important to give thyroid hormone replacement therapy for a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks to allow enough time to produce benefit the metabolism before evaluating its effects.

After starting treatment most dogs start to be more active within 2 - 7 days. Improvements in the skin and hair coat take longer. The hair coat may appear to worsen initially as the old hair coat is shed. It may take several months for a healthier hair coat to grow. Healthy weight loss will likely be observed over a couple of months. Willingness and ability to exercise will increase. Your dog’s level of exercise should be increased gradually to avoid fatigue or injury.

When will I need to go back to my veterinarian?

 After about one month of treatment, a blood sample may be taken for analysis of thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).

 If the dose is changed, a blood sample is usually taken about 4 weeks later to check that this dose is suitable.

 Once your dog’s condition is stable, your dog should be re-checked at least every six months.

What should I look out for?

It is important to let your veterinarian know if your dog develops any new clinical signs while on thyroid hormone replacement therapy. New diseases may develop as a dog ages, so any change in health is an indication of the need for re-evaluation.

Although uncommon, it is possible for clinical signs to develop if a dog is receiving too much thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

What is the prognosis?

The prognosis is good once dogs, that have developed hypothyroidism as a result of destruction of the thyroid gland, are stabilized on thyroid hormone replacement therapy. The life expectancy is the same as for those dogs with healthy thyroid glands.