Schilddrüsenunterfunktion beim Hund - was hat die Ernährung damit zu tun?

Die Schilddrüse benötigt für die Hormonproduktion ausreichende Mengen an Jod. Dieses Spurenelement muss über die Nahrung zugeführt werden - ein Mangel an Jod führt zu einer verminderten Hormonproduktion und so zu einer Schilddrüsenunterfunktion. Daher ist es wichtig, den Hund mit hochwertigem Futter mit einem ausreichenden Jodgehalt ausgewogen und bedarfsgerecht zu ernähren.

Welche Hunde leiden besonders häufig unter Schilddrüsenunterfunktion?

Eine Unterfunktion der Schilddrüse tritt vor allem bei mittelgroßen bis großen Hunden etwa ab dem fünften Lebensjahr auf. Eine genetische Veranlagung für diese Erkrankung gibt es offensichtlich bei diesen Rassen: Riesenschnauzer Deutsche Dogge Irish Setter Golden Retriever Dobermann Bobtail Hovawart Aber auch kleinere, jüngere oder Hunde anderer Rassen oder Mischlinge können an einer Schilddrüsenunterfunktion erkranken.

Welche Formen von Schilddrüsenunterfunktion gibt es bei Hunden?

Medizinisch unterscheidet man die "primäre Schilddrüsenunterfunktion" (etwa 95 % aller Fälle), bei der es zu einem Abbau von Drüsenzellen und dadurch zu einer Verkleinerung des Organs kommt, und "sekundäre Schilddrüsenunterfunktionen", bei denen das eigentliche Organ zwar gesund ist, aber die übergeordneten Steuerungssysteme des Körpers keine ausreichende Hormonproduktion mehr stimulieren. Eine Sonderform der Erkrankung führt durch einen angeborenen Gendefekt bereits bei neugeborenen Welpen zu deutlichen Entwicklungsstörungen.

Wie gefährlich ist die Schilddrüsenunterfunktion beim Hund?

Eine Unterfunktion der Schilddrüse führt durch den Hormonmangel über einen langen Zeitraum zu unterschiedlichen Symptomen beim Hund. Zwar handelt es sich nicht um eine akut gefährliche Erkrankung, dennoch können die Folgen einer unbehandelten Hypothyreose das Immunsystem des Hundes schwächen, ihn so ernsthaft krank machen und damit auch sein Leben gefährden.

Was passiert, wenn man eine Schilddrüsenunterfunktion nicht behandelt?

Wird eine Unterfunktion der Schilddrüse beim Hund nicht behandelt, verschlimmern sich die Symptome und der Hund leidet unter anderem an einer verzögerten Wundheilung, langwierigen Haut- oder Ohrenentzündungen, brüchigem Fell, Haarausfall und einer allgemeinen Immunschwäche.

Frau trainiert mit Hund zum Ratgeber „Schilddrüsenunterfunktion beim Hund“ von Liebesgut-Tiernahrung.

Hypothyroidism in dogs

Hypothyroidism in dogs - what is it?

The thyroid gland (= "thyrea") is a small organ that produces several vital hormones. It is located in the upper neck area of the dog and primarily stores the trace element iodine, the most important component of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These play crucial roles in the dog's entire metabolism, meaning that a deficiency of these hormones has far-reaching effects on numerous bodily functions. Thyroid function is controlled by the pituitary gland, which ensures that the hormone level in the blood is always kept reasonably constant in a healthy dog. An underactive thyroid gland is also known as "hypothyroidism".

Hypothyroidism in dogs - what are the symptoms?

If the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient amounts of T4 and T3 over a longer period of time, the hormone deficiency usually leads slowly and insidiously to changes in the dog, which the dog owner often only notices after months or even years. In addition to physical symptoms such as hair loss, coat changes with dry, brittle hair or excessive dandruff, recurring skin or ear infections or frequent infections, affected animals also show behavioural changes, appear lethargic and weak, are very sensitive to cold and gain a lot of weight. Due to water retention (oedema) in the subcutaneous tissue - especially in the head area - affected dogs often show a typical sad facial expression.

Hypothyroidism in dogs - what are the causes?

The most common cause of hypothyroidism in dogs is the partial breakdown of the glandular tissue and the resulting reduction in size of the organ with advancing age. On the one hand, inflammatory processes can be responsible for this (= "lymphocytic thyroiditis"), but on the other hand, in many dogs this cell degradation also occurs without any recognisable cause (= "idiopathic atrophy"). These cases are referred to as "primary hypothyroidism".

Pathological changes in other areas of the body can also cause a decline in thyroid hormones. The pituitary gland is a higher-level organ that controls hormone production in the thyroid gland. If the function of this gland is impaired, this control mechanism fails and the thyroid gland produces too few hormones without itself being ill. This is known as "secondary hypothyroidism".

A malnutrition in which the organism is supplied with too little iodine also results in reduced hormone production in the thyroid gland. However, the composition of high-quality ready-made food such as organic wet food is tailored to the needs of a healthy dog, so that iodine deficiency is very rarely the cause of thyroid disease.

Hypothyroidism in dogs - how is it diagnosed?

If a dog changes its behaviour significantly, appears tired and weak or shows changes to its skin and coat, the vet will also suspect a thyroid disorder. Various examinations must be carried out to clinically confirm the disease. The size of the organ itself can be assessed by means of an ultrasound examination - this can already provide an initial indication of tissue atrophy. It is important to determine the blood values in the laboratory, which includes determining the hormone levels of T3 and T4.

Hypothyroidism in dogs - what medication can help?

Only when all the tests have confirmed the diagnosis of hypothyroidism beyond doubt will the vet draw up a treatment plan in order to adjust the dog with the right medication. Once the gland is underactive, it cannot be cured; the tissue that has already been destroyed does not regenerate. Therefore, the only possible treatment for primary hypothyroidism is the external and permanent administration of thyroid hormone in the form of tablets or liquid agents that have been specially developed for dogs.

The vet will adjust the dose of medication to the dog's individual requirements and check at regular follow-up examinations whether this dose is being maintained or needs to be changed. If the dose is too high, this can lead to restlessness, nervousness, gastrointestinal complaints and weight loss, for example. If it is too low, the symptoms of hormonal deficiency will persist.

If the dog is optimally adjusted with medication, the various symptoms gradually subside and its general condition improves noticeably. As there is no cure, the four-legged friend must now be given the medication for life .

Hypothyroidism in dogs - which food is the right one?

It is fundamentally important to feed a dog a balanced, high-quality diet to prevent malnutrition and the resulting illnesses. If the dog already suffers from hypothyroidism and is on medication, the food should not be too rich in calcium, as calcium can reduce the absorption of iodine into the thyroid gland. It is also important to provide less but high-quality protein in the food if the dog is being treated with thyroid hormones. A high-quality dog food such as organic wet food provides your four-legged friend with everything they need.

Our recommendations for your four-legged friend:

Tasting packs for dogs

Natural dog food

Frequently asked questions:

Hypothyroidism in dogs - what does nutrition have to do with it?

The thyroid gland requires sufficient amounts of iodine for hormone production. This trace element must be supplied in the diet - a lack of iodine leads to reduced hormone production and thus to hypothyroidism. It is therefore important to feed your dog a balanced diet of high-quality food with a sufficient iodine content to meet its needs.

Which dogs suffer particularly frequently from hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism mainly occurs in medium-sized to large dogs from around the age of five. There is obviously a genetic predisposition to this disease in these breeds:

Giant Schnauzer
Great Dane
Irish Setter
Golden Retriever
Doberman
Bobtail
Hovawart

However, smaller, younger dogs or dogs of other breeds or mixed breeds can also suffer from hypothyroidism.

What types of hypothyroidism are there in dogs?

Medically, a distinction is made between"primary hypothyroidism" (around 95% of all cases), in which glandular cells are broken down, resulting in a reduction in the size of the organ, and"secondary hypothyroidism", in which the actual organ is healthy but the body's higher-level control systems no longer stimulate sufficient hormone production.

A special form of the disease leads to significant developmental disorders in newborn puppies due to a congenital genetic defect.

How dangerous is hypothyroidism in dogs?

An underactive thyroid gland leads to various symptoms in dogs due to the hormone deficiency over a long period of time. Although it is not an acutely dangerous disease, the consequences of untreated hypothyroidism can weaken the dog's immune system, making it seriously ill and thus endangering its life.

What happens if hypothyroidism is not treated?

If a dog's hypothyroidism is not treated, the symptoms worsen and the dog suffers from delayed wound healing, protracted skin or ear infections, brittle fur, hair loss and general immunodeficiency, among other things.