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HEALTH |
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HEALTH |
HYPOTHYROIDISM
According to the American Boxer Club website, 13.8% of Boxers tested for hypothyroidism at Michigan State University were found to be positive for the disease (871 samples). Boxers are now rated 5th highest among all breeds to have autoimmune thyroid disease.
"Autoimmune thyroiditis" is the most common cause of primary hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) in dogs. A Thyroid condition tends to show itself at 2 to 5 years of age. Dogs may be normal for years, only to become hypothyroid at a later date. The marker for autoimmune thyroiditis usually occurs prior to the occurrence of clinical signs. For this reason, periodic testing is recommended.
The clinical signs of hypothyroidism can be subtle to being very overt. Signs may include dry coat & skin, hair loss, weight gain/obesity, fatigue or lack of energy, mental dullness (your dog may not be as dumb as you think), pus-filled lesions on the skin, ear inflammation, crusty skin, cool skin, itchy skin, exercise intolerance, hair coat color change, hair not re-growing when shaved (especially noticed after a surgery), infertility, irregular estrous cycles, resorption of fetuses after being bred, neurological problems, bradycardia (slow heart rate), and cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats). Not all of these symptoms will be seen, but whenever a breeder has a problem with reproduction, the thyroid should be examined. Many affected Boxers do not show any symptoms, or may show only one symptom, making it difficult for an owner to notice.
Development of autoantibodies (antibodies produced against oneself) at any time in the dog’s life is an indication that the dog most likely has the genetic form of the disease. The majority of dogs that develop autoantibodies have them by 3 to 4 years of age. Some breeders feel testing is not necessary if their dog appears to be "normal", or not showing any physical signs of hypothyroidism. However, a dog can have a thyroid condition but sometimes not show it, or will show signs several months or years later. With improved technology, only a small fraction of false positive tests occur.
In recent studies (2004), vaccinated dogs when compared with non-vaccinated dogs have a higher concentration of antibodies in their serum directed against bovine proteins such as thyroglobulin and fibronectin. These antibodies are likely produced in response to contaminants from fetal calf serum commonly used to make canine vaccines. It is believed these anti-bovine antibodies then cross-react with a dog’s own thyroglobulin and fibronectin, resulting in detectable concentrations of autoantibodies in their serum. Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland) is thought to be a precursor of clinical hypothyroidism in dogs. Approximately 40% of dogs with thyroiditis have an increased concentration of antibodies in their blood directed against thyroid tissue.
Testing: Thyroid panel (bloodwork) must include the following tests: TGAA (Thyroglobulin auto antibodies), Total T4AA, Free T4AA (by equilibrium dialysis), cTSH. (Optional tests include T3 and free T3). Dogs that are negative at 1 year of age may become positive at 6 years of age. Dogs should be tested every year or two in order to be certain they have not developed the condition. Since the majority of affected dogs will have autoantibodies by 4 years of age, annual testing for the first 4 years is recommended. After that, testing every other year should suffice. Unfortunately, a negative at any one time will not guarantee that the dog will not develop thyroiditis.
Treatment: medication such as L-Thyroxine. Some dogs will self-regulate, or will regulate after medication and be able to stop taking medication. Others will need thyroid medication for life.
Possible prevention - non-vaccinating
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals - Thyroid Information
American Boxer Club Update on Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism treatment - natural remedy: Coconut Oil
From Tropical Traditions:
While more research needs to be done, it is generally accepted that diet plays a major role in thyroid health. For decades we have known that low iodine intake leads to low thyroid function and eventually to goiter. Iodized salt was intended to solve this problem, but it has not been the answer. There are a number of foods known as goitrogens that block iodine. Two goitrogens are quite prevalent in the American diet—peanuts and peanut butter and soybeans used most often in prepared foods as textured vegetable protein (a refined soy food) and soybean oil.
The rise of industrialization, corporate farming, and mass production of food has drastically changed our food supply from what our ancestors ate. Many studies show the detrimental effects of refined sugars and grains on our health. These foods are very taxing on the thyroid gland, and we consume them in large quantities. Think of how much has changed in processed dog food from the real meat dogs used to eat!
Environmental stress such as chemical pollutants, pesticides, mercury, and fluoride are also tough on the thyroid. A growing body of evidence suggests that fluoride, which is prevalent in water treatments, may inhibit the functioning of the thyroid gland. Additionally, mercury may diminish thyroid function because it displaces the trace mineral selenium, and selenium is involved in conversion of thyroid hormones T4 to T3.
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