by Kellie on July 7, 2011
I’ve recently had a new addition to my family, Otis, the giant happy-go-lucky golden retriever. He is not shy about introducing himself to anyone who looks his way and has the cutest, droopiest face that you can’t help but fall in love with. Otis also has a condition called hypothyroidism. At five years of age, he has only been recently diagnosed and treated. Otis’ chronic symptoms of poor skin condition with dandruff, patchy areas of hair loss and recurrent ear infections had been deemed as being caused by food allergies. The instant I met Otis, I knew there was more to it than allergies. At the Animal Emergency Hospital, we see a high volume of all medical conditions and the condition I suspected Otis had tends to stick out like a sore thumb. I had a conversation with one of my emergency veterinarians who advised me to check him for hypothyroidism and here is why…
Otis was displaying the classic symptoms of hypothyroidism:
- Weight gain despite portioned feedings
- Hair loss and excessive shedding
- Excessive skin scaling or dandruff
- Hyperpigmentation of the skin (areas of blackened skin)
- Recurrent ear infections
- The classic “tragic” or “droopy” looking face (caused by excessive fluid accumulation in the facial region)
- Weakness in the hind limbs (front limbs may be affected as well)
Otis’ thyroid levels were checked via a blood test and in a few days, it was confirmed that he was indeed hypothyroid. Luckily for Otis, hypothyroidism can be treated fairly easily with thyroid tablets given every day. In a few weeks I noticed his face tighten up and an increase in his energy level. Since I had only just met Otis at 5 years of age, I wasn’t able to assess what would be his normal energy level but now with treatment, he acts like a puppy and exuberantly chases my other dog around the yard for a game of what I like to call “how much grass can the dogs destroy today?”
So what exactly is hypothyroidism? It is a condition that results from inadequate production and release of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland. It is primarily a genetic disorder but is can be rarely caused by cancer. These thyroid hormones are required by many body systems including the skin, metabolic, neuromuscular and ophthalmic systems. The symptoms Otis was displaying are the most common but are not limited to the above described. Each dog will show multiple varying symptoms and can also be accompanied by the following:
- Dry and lustreless hair coat
- Greasy skin with recurrent skin infections
- Lethargy and/or mental dullness
- Infertility in breeding females
- General weakness or stiff gait (walking pattern)
- Facial paralysis
- Other rare symptoms can occur as well
Is it important to know that certain breeds are predisposed to hypothyroidism but all breeds can be susceptible to it. Those breeds that commonly display hypothyroidism include; golden retrievers (at the top of the list!), Doberman pinschers, Irish setters, great Danes, Airedale terriers, old English sheepdogs, dachshunds, miniature schnauzers, cocker spaniels, poodles and boxers.
If you notice any of the described symptoms in your dog, make an appointment with your veterinarian for an exam and some blood tests. Usually the test for the thyroid is sent away to an outside lab and takes up to a week for results. Your vet may do some in-house testing in the meantime. The in-house blood test may show an increase in cholesterol and a mild nonregenerative anemia (low red blood cell count). These results can sometimes be overlooked as nothing significant but are good indicators of hypothyroidism. 
The good news for pet owners with a hypothyroid dog is that it is easy and relatively inexpensive to treat with daily medication. It takes up to 6 months for all the symptoms to resolve and will require repeat blood tests during this time to make sure the dog is getting the correct amount of medication it requires.
I am happy to report that Otis seems to get better every week and will live a long life!
Resources for this article taken from Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult 2007
by Kellie on January 10, 2011
Small or toy breed puppies such as Yorkshire Terriers, Teacup Poodles, Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas etc. are notorious for not eating enough in order to maintain their energy requirements. When this occurs, such small puppies can become hypoglycemic (have a low blood sugar) to the point where they will become extremely lethargic or even comatose and seizure activity may occur.
New owners will typically bring home their puppy at 6 weeks of age and up. Although the puppy is fully weaned off their mother and eating solid food, he/she still needs to be encouraged to eat proper amounts. At this young age, a puppy is highly reliant on it’s new owners to ensure it is eating enough to sustain it’s energy needs. Small or toy breed puppies should be fed at least every 3-4 hours. Most dry puppy food is too large for their little mouths and requires quite alot of effort to chew which will lead to the puppy eating insufficient amounts. A canned diet is recommended for at least their first 4 months. A liquid nutritional supplement available at veterinary clinics can be mixed in with canned food to add extra calories into the diet.
In the event that you suspect your puppy has become hypoglycemic, you can try giving them a teaspoon of cornsyrup orally as long as they are concious and able to swallow. Signs of hypoglycemia include; ataxia (the puppy will seem off-balance or fall over), lethargy or weakness, unresponsiveness and sometimes seizures. If you notice any of these signs, please call your veterinarian immediately or an emergency vet hospital if it is after hours for further instructions. Occasionally hypoglycemia in puppies is caused by a secondary problem such as a liver shunt (a genetic defect), therefore it is important to do follow up care with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
by Kellie on November 13, 2010
At the Animal Emergency Hospital we regularly rely on blood transfusions to save a pet’s life. Internal bleeding is the most common instance in which we are required to perform blood transfusions. Internal bleeding can occur for many reasons and includes trauma, such as when a pet is hit by a vehicle, ingestion of rat/mouse bait, or the presence of a tumor (specifically on the spleen, the organ that stores red blood cells). These are some of the more severe instances in which we perform transfusions but there are many other conditions that require a transfusion of blood products.
So where does all this life-saving blood come from? Just like in human medicine, blood donors are required. Currently, The Canadian Animal Blood Bank is the only animal blood bank in Canada and offers permanent blood collection sites in Winnipeg and Edmonton. There are several permanent sites throughout the US as well. Veterinary establishments in other cities routinely collect blood from their donors in hospital as needed for their patients. If there is not a permanent blood collection facility in your area, ask your veterinary hospital if they have a donor list or run donor clinics.
As the need for blood products continually increases, this is as good a time as any to consider if your dog meets the requirements of a blood donor:
- Is your dog healthy and well-tempered?
- Does your dog have current vaccinations?
- Is your dog between 1-8 years of age?
- Is your dog 50lbs (23kg) or more?
- If your dog is female, is she spayed with no previous litters?
- Has your dog been tested for heartworm and been on preventative medication?
During the collection of blood from a donor, the dog will be required to lie on its side and be still for approximately 5 minutes. A small area over the jugular vein on the neck is shaved and cleaned, and a needle that is attached to a collection bag is inserted into the vein. Once the blood is collected, it is processed into components and sent to veterinary hospitals across the country, or if collected in hospital, used immediately.
It can be an extremely rewarding experience knowing that your dog has helped to save another’s life. If your dog meets the requirements, try donating their blood to help in one of the most important life support therapies.
Feline blood transfusions are possible, but it is more difficult to obtain a donor as they need to be sedated/anesthetized to collect the blood necessary. As well, the blood cannot be stored, it needs to be used once collected.
I’ve recently had a new addition to my family, Otis, the giant happy-go-lucky golden retriever. He is not shy about introducing himself to anyone who looks his way and has the cutest, droopiest face that you can’t help but fall in love with. Otis also has a condition called hypothyroidism. At five years of age, he has only been recently diagnosed and treated. Otis’ chronic symptoms of poor skin condition with dandruff, patchy areas of hair loss and recurrent ear infections had been deemed as being caused by food allergies. The instant I met Otis, I knew there was more to it than allergies. At the Animal Emergency Hospital, we see a high volume of all medical conditions and the condition I suspected Otis had tends to stick out like a sore thumb. I had a conversation with one of my emergency veterinarians who advised me to check him for hypothyroidism and here is why…
