Hormonal and hereditary canine skin diseases typically cause hair loss along the dog’s body. One common cause is hypothyroidism.
In this condition, the underactive thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroxin, a hormone needed to regulate the dog’s metabolism. Hypothyroidism can lead to hair loss and dark, thick, oily looking skin.
It’s common for pets with hypothyroidism to gain weight while eating moderately. These dogs have been described as “easy keepers” because they gain weight easily.
But that doesn’t mean that most overweight dogs have thyroid disease – they are just eating too much, eating a rich a diet and not having enough exercise.
Hypothyroidism is common in Labradors and golden retrievers, dachshunds, cocker spaniels, boxers Doberman pinchers and greyhounds. Occasionally, terriers and other toy breeds may develop the problem.
Hypothyroid dogs usually have excess black pigment in the skin of the groin. This pigment results in a condition called acanthosis nigricans.
Sometimes this pigment is present over much of the body and the skin becomes oily and thickened. Broken toenails and toenail infections are common in hypothyroidism. Your pet’s hair coat color may change.
A slow heart rate, constipation, anemia, muscle weakness and atrophy, nerve disturbances, edema, stunted growth and slowed clotting of the blood are other signs of hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroid dogs have more than their fair share of joint pain and swelling as well as ear and skin infections. Lazy behavior – such as increased sleeping, less play activity and easy fatigue – can also indicate thyroid disease.
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