Autoimmune Hypothyroidism in Poodles
Hypothyroidism is one of the most common autoimmune
disorders affecting Poodles, male and female equally. Similar to
hypothyroidism in humans, most conditions of hypothyroidism in dogs are
autoimmune and are characterized by the presence of thyroid antibodies
in blood.
Often this disease shows up between four to six years
of age and more commonly in altered Poodles as opposed to intact ones.
This gland produces thyroxine, a hormone that regulates the body’s
metabolic rate which is the rate at which the Poodle burns calories.
Often Poodles will not show typical symptoms of this disease. The
most common disorder for Poodles is called autoimmune thyroiditis.
Thyroiditis is an immune- mediated process that is genetic in process
and shows by the presence of antithyroid antibodies in the blood or
tissue.
There are many symptoms of Hypothyroidism: weight gain,
skin dryness, pus-filled lesions on the skin, infertility, irregular
estrous cycles, bradycardia (slow heart rate), resorption of fetuses
after being bred, neurological problems, cardiac arrhythmias, muscle
weakness, unprovoked aggression toward other animals or people, sudden
onset of adult seizure disorder, shortness of breath, fatigue, cognitive
changes, joint pain, moodiness, hearing loss, erratic temperament,
hypo-attentiveness, depression, fearfulness, hoarseness, phobias, ear
inflammation, crusty skin, exercise intolerance, inclination toward
infection, incontinence, anxiety, passivity, compulsiveness, and
irritability.
Unfortunately, today there are more than 50 breeds
of dogs predisposed to Thyroid disease. Males should be tested after 14
months or after maturity and females after their maiden heat cycle. If
you plan on using a bitch for breeding, it is also a good idea to have
her tested each year so you can catch early onset. A bitch can pass on
these antibodies through the cholesterol milk to her offspring. Any
Poodle that has the antibodies can develop thyroid or other auto-immune
diseases. Thyroid screening is very important to test for if you are
using your Poodles in your breeding program. This is not an expensive
test but can be extremely valuable in accessing the possible auto-immune
diseases in your future breeding program.
According to studies,
it is thought that over vaccination and increased amounts of iodine salt
in commercial dog foods can contribute to this and other auto-immune
diseases. A natural diet has seen less thyroid incidences. Autoimmune
disorders in dogs are caused by a combination of genetic and
environmental factors. Certain breeds are genetically predisposed to
certain autoimmune disorders.
Blood levels of T-4 are normally
1.0-4.0 micrograms/deciliter. Normal levels of T-3 are 45-150 nanograms/decileter;
normal levels of Free T-4 are 11-43 picomols/leter. I become suspicious
of hypothyroidism when the numbers for T-4 hover about one unit and T-3
and Free T-4 levels are low-normal - even if the lab reports the case as
normal. A TSH stimulation test can be run if the diagnosis is in doubt.
Treatment is inexpensive, and this disease can be easily
controlled. Consult your veterinarian for help in setting a dose and any
follow up testing for keeping proper levels of the thyroid.
