Hypothyroidism in the German Shorthaired Pointer

Hypothyroidism in the German Shorthaired Pointer

Many people are diagnosed with “hypothyroidism”. Although this disease is rare in cats, it can be quite common in dogs, and the German Shorthaired Pointer is one of the breeds that can develop this metabolic disorder. The thyroid is an extremely important gland in the body that is doubly lobed and located on either side of the trachea (windpipe). The thyroid secretes a hormone that is responsible for regulating the body's metabolism. If the thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone, the dog can become “hypothyroid” and this slows down the German Shorthaired Pointer’s metabolism. This is not a good thing that happened to your dog.

The dog's immune system is instrumental in the development of hypothyroidism because this system does not function properly and negatively affects the thyroid tissue and kills thyroid cells. Initially, the German Shorthaired Pointer's body retaliates by oversecreting thyroid hormone, but the dog's body cannot continue this and the lack of sufficient thyroid hormone leads to the development of hypothyroidism. The scientific jury is still out on the exact cause of this particular autoimmune disease, but believes there is a genetic predisposition and possible factors for allergies and possibly environmental pollutants.

Some of the symptoms that should prompt a vet visit for your German Shorthaired Pointer include lethargy, poor food intake with weight gain. If you notice that your dog doesn't want to play, sleeps a lot, and gets tired more easily during normal activities, contact the vet for an examination. If the GSP has an underactive thyroid, the dog may also be prone to dry skin, bacterial skin infections, and hair loss. The dog's tolerance to temperature changes, especially in colder temperatures, may decrease. Some affected animals may exhibit chronic ear infections and possibly negative behavioral changes that can be easily observed by the astute owner.

When you take your GSP in for a checkup, you will review the obvious symptoms and/or behavioral and mood changes with your veterinarian. The veterinarian will draw blood for the test, which can determine the level of thyroid hormones in your pet's blood. If the blood test results indicate that your GSP is secreting less than the normal amount of thyroid hormone and hypothyroidism is diagnosed, the vet will most likely prescribe a synthetic thyroid hormone, which your dog will most likely need for the rest of his life. This medication should solve the problem and you should see an increase in energy as well as more positive changes in mood and behavior.

Inspired by John P Jackson