Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Welfare and Hypothyroidism Management

Canine hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid condition causing lethargy, weight gain and poor coat condition. Diagnosis and management with daily thyroxine supplementation restores normal welfare.

Key Facts

Hypothyroidism affects approximately 0.2-0.5% of dogs and is most common in middle-aged medium to large breeds
Clinical signs develop gradually and can be mistaken for normal ageing
Diagnosis requires measurement of total T4 and TSH rather than T4 alone for accuracy
Daily levothyroxine supplementation is highly effective and lifelong
Most dogs show marked clinical improvement within four to eight weeks of appropriate treatment

Welfare Considerations

Hypothyroidism causes chronic, gradual deterioration in wellbeing that may go unrecognised for months or years. Diagnosis and appropriate treatment can transform quality of life for affected dogs.

What You Can Do

Discuss thyroid function testing with your vet if your dog shows unexplained weight gain or lethargy
Ensure hypothyroid dogs receive consistent daily levothyroxine and regular monitoring checks
Watch for signs of under or over-treatment as dose requirements can change over time