Fw: Thyroid imbalance connection to behavior issues in dogs

[Guest guest]

This was posted on another list I'm on, and I thought it could be helpful/of interest to folks here.

EvAs one of the most common hormone imbalances in domestic dogs, hypothyroidism can cause weight gain, hair loss, skin irritations, lethargy and anemia, among other symptoms." "...pet ... randomly attacked one of the family's other dogs recently." October 30, 2008 http://www.zootoo.com/petnews/vetslinkbadpetstothyroiddiseas#embedded_video Fort , Colorado - Thousands of dogs and cats are surrendered at shelters each year because of behavioral problems. Often, there isn't a specific means to track and detect the source of a pet's aggression.Yet sometimes, there is a identifiable source of a pet's unruly behavior.Many veterinarians are recognizing a connection between aggression and a condition known as hypothyroidism. The disease is the result of an insufficient production of a hormone by the thyroid gland.While hypothyroidism can be treated very easily, the key factor is getting a pet diagnosed. West, owner of a 5-year-old Golden Retriever, Nabby, has already crossed that hurdle."We want to overcome this and work with her," said West, sitting with Nabby, in the veterinarian's office. Looking at Nabby, one would never guess she has aggression issues. "There's a lack of trust with her now," West said of her pet, which randomly attacked one of the family's other dogs recently.The aggression shocked her owners and has made it difficult for them to rest easy in leaving the animals alone together."To understand what or why it happens, it's very frustrating," West said. "You're scared. You're always on the defensive, always just concerned and scared about what could happen."Doctor Jennie Willis Jamtgaard, a behaviorist at Colorado State University, suspects Nabby may be suffering from hypothyroidism. As one of the most common hormone imbalances in domestic dogs, hypothyroidism can cause weight gain, hair loss, skin irritations, lethargy and anemia, among other symptoms."The thyroid is sort of a master gland and it does stimulate cells throughout the body," Jamtgaard said. "So basically, when things are not working in the thyroid as they're supposed to, many things are affected."One of the first signs of hypothyroidism is often hair loss or weight gain. Nabby did not show either symptom.While not all dogs with the condition become dangerous, it can draw out the trait in a dog that previously displayed hints of an aggressive nature. "Essentially, it's sort of exaggerating something that's already a temperamental thing for that dog,"Jamtgaard said. "But might not have been so clear a problem without the hypothyroidism." Veterinarians say that some dogs, including Golden Retrievers, Boxers, Dachshunds and Doberman Pinschers, are predisposed to hypothyroidism. The condition is also thought to onset later in a dog's life and often is considered to be genetic. Around two in every 100 dogs have hypothyroidism; however, at the Second Chance Animal Shelter in East Brookfield, Mass., 20 percent of dogs deemed aggressive have tested positive for the disease. "It certainly gives them a second chance if they're labeled as aggressive," Sheryl Brackley, president of Second Chance, said. "And then they can be tested and treated for their thyroid."Nabby's blood test showed she is definitely suffering from hypothyroidism. While the condition could very well be triggering her to act aggressively, Jamtgaard believes the dog has other issues, as well.The treatment includes an injection of the hormones that Nabby's thyroid is not producing. "The good news is that the treatment for hypothyroidism is very successful," Jamtgaard said.After years of wondering what was making her sick, Nabby's owners have taken some of the first steps to getting their sweet girl back.Aggressive dogs that test positive for hypothyroidism often have other behavioral and medical issues that need to be treated as well. Vets say that the condition evolves gradually most of the time, and that a dog who suffers from hypothyroidism won't suddenly turn aggressive.Cats can also suffer from hypothyroidism, though the documented cases are rare. http://www.zootoo.com/petnews/vetslinkbadpetstothyroiddiseas#embedded_video