Why Should I worry About Thyroid Disease in Dogs?

• It is a common disease in dogs: Hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) is the most common endocrine disease in dogs.


• Dogs with untreated thyroid disease have many clinical signs.


• Owners can have a dog that has a high probability of becoming hypothyroid tested and and begin therapy long before all the detrimental clinical signs of the disease occur


• Thyroid treatment involves administering L-thyroxine (T4) tablets are either once or twice a day. This therapy is very successful if the original diagnosis was correct.


• Though thyroid diseaase responds well to medication, it is not inexpensive, and the costs of verterinary care and medications can cost upwards of $1500 over a dog’s lifetime.


• Most would prefer to not have a dog with this disease. By testing dogs before they are bred (see OFA Database), responsible breeding and being aware of the incidence in different breeds (see pulldown menu), the likelihood of having a dog with thyroid disease can be significantly reduced.