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Does anyone have any experience of Hypothyroidism in their racing whippets?
Any info greatly appreciated.
Any info greatly appreciated.
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Hypothyroidism
- Thread starter Darcia
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Yes - I have ....... both of mine are hypothyroid - the info is unlimited really - so it would be easier to ask more specific questions.Darcia said:
It should be borne in mind though - that sighthounds have a lower "normal" thryroxine level than other breeds (in fact their whole blood make up is different - viz - higher red blood cell count, slightly lower white blood cell count) - so often a misdiagnosis is made regarding T4 (thyroxine levels).
Presumably your friend had a T4 test done for his/her dog - do you know the result?
In your last post - you say that your friend gives the thyroxine daily.
It is recommended to divide the dose and give it twice daily (12 hours apart). Humans are usually dosed only once a day - but the dog's metabolism is different and most dogs are better being dosed twice a day.
It is also better absorbed if given on an empty stomach - preferably at least half an hour before food.
It is usually a life-long treatment once the dog is hypothyroid (hypothyroid is an underactive thryoid gland, hyperthyroid is an overactive gland) it is more often the case that the dog is hypOthyroid. Symptoms can be - lethargy, hair loss, unexpected aggression, exercise intolerance, cold, and many many more. Once on supplementation, the dog will need retesting periodically to get the balance right.
Too much medication can make the dog hypERthyroid though.
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This appeared on www.globalgreyhounds.com by leading greyhound vet Tom Meulman, Australia.
Hair loss and Thyroid function
Firstly, for a twelve month old greyhound pup to suffer from a Thyroid problem is extremely rare, as low levels of the thyroid hormone Thyroxine are caused by the stress of racing.
It basically works this way:
There are two main systems in the body that control the body’s metabolism.
One, the Thyroid gland, it produces Thyroxine, and Thyroxine controls and stimulates the rate of metabolism in the body and therefore also controls hair growth. Low level of Thyroxine results in decreased physical and mental vigour, and in the racing greyhound it can therefore affect performance.
Two, the Adrenal gland, this produces Adrenalin, and Adrenalin controls the way the body reacts under stress. It speeds up reaction time and controls the flow of blood to the muscle tissue by diverting it away from other organs when it is required for fast muscle function.
It is only when the Adrenal gland becomes over active by the repeated stress of racing that the two systems become out of balance. In this situation the excessive amounts of Adrenaline in the blood depress Thyroid function and as a result the greyhound suffers a reduction in performance as well as hair loss.
So as you can see the chances of a twelve month old greyhound having a Thyroid problem are slim. However, for the Thyroid to produce Thyroxine it requires Iodine, and is the only known requirement for iodine in the body.
If you are concerned about Thyroid function, the addition of a small sprinkle of Iodised salt to the evening meal will supply sufficient iodine for normal Thyroid function.
It is also quite normal for greyhounds to have very little hair on the underbelly and the inside of the legs, as hair growth is also controlled by both the outside temperature as well as the temperature of the body. Simply changing the diet from one used for pups (high in fat and carbohydrates) to one traditionally fed to racing greyhounds (high in protein) will increase body temperature and induce increased hair loss.
Reason for hair loss to the outsides of thighs
The main reason for hair loss to the outside of the thigh is HYPERADRENOCORTICISM, which depresses the Thyroid glands.
This reprint out of my book may assist.
However if the greyhound is still performing up to expectations don't worry about the hair loss, as I have seen a number of greyhounds lose form after being treated with thyroxine Sodium (Oroxine).
THYROID GLAND and THYROXINE
The principal function of THYROID HORMONE (THYROXINE) is to control and stimulate the rate of metabolism of the body
When levels of THYROXINE are decreased it results in decreased physical and mental vigour.
There are a number of factors that influence the function of the thyroid.
IODINE METABOLISM
Iodine is essential to the production of Thyroxine and is the only known function of iodine in the body.
THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE (TSH)
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland stimulates activity of the thyroid gland by increasing the uptake of iodide, and stimulating its conversion into Thyroxine.
THYROID BINDING GLOBULIN (TBG)
Serum proteins that act as carrier agents for Thyroxine and distribute it throughout the body.
Anything that affects the IODIDE metabolism, the production of TSH, or the binding of Thyroxine to GLOBULIN, affects the function of Thyroxine in the body.
HYPERADRENOCORTICISM (STRESS) causes a rapid decrease in TSH, (thyroid stimulating hormone) greyhounds suffering this condition are often HYPOTHYROID. (Low serum Thyroxine)
ANABOLIC STEROIDS decrease the levels of available TBG (Thyroxine binding globulin) and so reduce the level of Thyroxine in the body.
There is also a genetic factor involved in thyroid function, in animals where it exists; much of the body iodide is not available for Thyroxine production.
LOW PLASMA THYROXINE, as demonstrated by a test to determine the globulin bound level of Thyroxine (T4) or a test to determine the level of Thyroxine not bound to globulin (free T4), is extremely common in the racing greyhound, in many cases this may be due to severe stress.
Generally treatment consists of providing oral supplements of THYROXINE SODIUM.
The initial dose should be small, and increases made at 14-day intervals until the desired metabolic balance is achieved.
At this time it may also be worthwhile to provide the dog with extra iodine in the diet, by adding a pinch of iodised salt to the main meal each day.
Iodine may also be given as a supplement: 2 drops of 2.5% Iodine in a cup of low fat milk, given as a drink every third day for 5 doses (maximum)
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Some dangers exist in providing excessive doses of oral Thyroxine in an attempt to rapidly increase thyroid hormone levels.
(1) Administration of Thyroxine further depresses TSH production, possibly compounding the original cause.
(2) Excess levels of Thyroxine may lead to heart muscle damage, and or bone fractures.
(3) A single dose may take up to a week to develop its maximum response, and repeated daily doses may have a cumulative effect, which does not become fully apparent for 14 day’s or more.
The initial dose should be small, usually 100 microgram daily, and increases made at fortnightly intervals by 50 microgram until the correct metabolic balance is achieved.
Overdose may cause restlessness, increased excitability and the possibility of heart muscle damage during strenuous exercise.
As well as supplementing the thyroid hormone levels with Thyroxine sodium, every effort should be made to rectify the training program and reduce the stress levels.
Regards.
Hair loss and Thyroid function
Firstly, for a twelve month old greyhound pup to suffer from a Thyroid problem is extremely rare, as low levels of the thyroid hormone Thyroxine are caused by the stress of racing.
It basically works this way:
There are two main systems in the body that control the body’s metabolism.
One, the Thyroid gland, it produces Thyroxine, and Thyroxine controls and stimulates the rate of metabolism in the body and therefore also controls hair growth. Low level of Thyroxine results in decreased physical and mental vigour, and in the racing greyhound it can therefore affect performance.
Two, the Adrenal gland, this produces Adrenalin, and Adrenalin controls the way the body reacts under stress. It speeds up reaction time and controls the flow of blood to the muscle tissue by diverting it away from other organs when it is required for fast muscle function.
It is only when the Adrenal gland becomes over active by the repeated stress of racing that the two systems become out of balance. In this situation the excessive amounts of Adrenaline in the blood depress Thyroid function and as a result the greyhound suffers a reduction in performance as well as hair loss.
So as you can see the chances of a twelve month old greyhound having a Thyroid problem are slim. However, for the Thyroid to produce Thyroxine it requires Iodine, and is the only known requirement for iodine in the body.
If you are concerned about Thyroid function, the addition of a small sprinkle of Iodised salt to the evening meal will supply sufficient iodine for normal Thyroid function.
It is also quite normal for greyhounds to have very little hair on the underbelly and the inside of the legs, as hair growth is also controlled by both the outside temperature as well as the temperature of the body. Simply changing the diet from one used for pups (high in fat and carbohydrates) to one traditionally fed to racing greyhounds (high in protein) will increase body temperature and induce increased hair loss.
Reason for hair loss to the outsides of thighs
The main reason for hair loss to the outside of the thigh is HYPERADRENOCORTICISM, which depresses the Thyroid glands.
This reprint out of my book may assist.
However if the greyhound is still performing up to expectations don't worry about the hair loss, as I have seen a number of greyhounds lose form after being treated with thyroxine Sodium (Oroxine).
THYROID GLAND and THYROXINE
The principal function of THYROID HORMONE (THYROXINE) is to control and stimulate the rate of metabolism of the body
When levels of THYROXINE are decreased it results in decreased physical and mental vigour.
There are a number of factors that influence the function of the thyroid.
IODINE METABOLISM
Iodine is essential to the production of Thyroxine and is the only known function of iodine in the body.
THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE (TSH)
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland stimulates activity of the thyroid gland by increasing the uptake of iodide, and stimulating its conversion into Thyroxine.
THYROID BINDING GLOBULIN (TBG)
Serum proteins that act as carrier agents for Thyroxine and distribute it throughout the body.
Anything that affects the IODIDE metabolism, the production of TSH, or the binding of Thyroxine to GLOBULIN, affects the function of Thyroxine in the body.
HYPERADRENOCORTICISM (STRESS) causes a rapid decrease in TSH, (thyroid stimulating hormone) greyhounds suffering this condition are often HYPOTHYROID. (Low serum Thyroxine)
ANABOLIC STEROIDS decrease the levels of available TBG (Thyroxine binding globulin) and so reduce the level of Thyroxine in the body.
There is also a genetic factor involved in thyroid function, in animals where it exists; much of the body iodide is not available for Thyroxine production.
LOW PLASMA THYROXINE, as demonstrated by a test to determine the globulin bound level of Thyroxine (T4) or a test to determine the level of Thyroxine not bound to globulin (free T4), is extremely common in the racing greyhound, in many cases this may be due to severe stress.
Generally treatment consists of providing oral supplements of THYROXINE SODIUM.
The initial dose should be small, and increases made at 14-day intervals until the desired metabolic balance is achieved.
At this time it may also be worthwhile to provide the dog with extra iodine in the diet, by adding a pinch of iodised salt to the main meal each day.
Iodine may also be given as a supplement: 2 drops of 2.5% Iodine in a cup of low fat milk, given as a drink every third day for 5 doses (maximum)
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Some dangers exist in providing excessive doses of oral Thyroxine in an attempt to rapidly increase thyroid hormone levels.
(1) Administration of Thyroxine further depresses TSH production, possibly compounding the original cause.
(2) Excess levels of Thyroxine may lead to heart muscle damage, and or bone fractures.
(3) A single dose may take up to a week to develop its maximum response, and repeated daily doses may have a cumulative effect, which does not become fully apparent for 14 day’s or more.
The initial dose should be small, usually 100 microgram daily, and increases made at fortnightly intervals by 50 microgram until the correct metabolic balance is achieved.
Overdose may cause restlessness, increased excitability and the possibility of heart muscle damage during strenuous exercise.
As well as supplementing the thyroid hormone levels with Thyroxine sodium, every effort should be made to rectify the training program and reduce the stress levels.
Regards.
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Thanks for that Martin.
I can`t understand why adrenalin should depress thyroxine production. I thought it was the corticosteroids produced by the adrenal gland that caused thyroxine to be depressed via its negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus. I shall investigate futher unless someone can enlighten me as to the mechanism of adrenalin inhibition of thyroxine production.
Hyperadrenocortic(osteroid)ism refers to corticosteroid production and not adrenalin production AFAIK.
I can`t understand why adrenalin should depress thyroxine production. I thought it was the corticosteroids produced by the adrenal gland that caused thyroxine to be depressed via its negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus. I shall investigate futher unless someone can enlighten me as to the mechanism of adrenalin inhibition of thyroxine production.
Hyperadrenocortic(osteroid)ism refers to corticosteroid production and not adrenalin production AFAIK.
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I contacted Tom for his thoughts and this was his reply:
Hi Martin,
As far as I'm aware....they are quite correct in saying that adrenalin as such, has little effect on Thyroxine production, and that it is the Corticosteroids produced by an hyperactive Adrenal gland as in Hyperadrenocorticism (stress), that causes suppression of the Thyroid gland.
Additionally, the frequent use of Anabolic Steroids also has a negative effect on Thyroxine distribution throughout the body by reducing the availability of Thyroxine Binding Globulin (TBG)
Best Regards
Tom
Hi Martin,
As far as I'm aware....they are quite correct in saying that adrenalin as such, has little effect on Thyroxine production, and that it is the Corticosteroids produced by an hyperactive Adrenal gland as in Hyperadrenocorticism (stress), that causes suppression of the Thyroid gland.
Additionally, the frequent use of Anabolic Steroids also has a negative effect on Thyroxine distribution throughout the body by reducing the availability of Thyroxine Binding Globulin (TBG)
Best Regards
Tom
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My dog has just been diagnosed with hypothyroidism after extensive blood tests etc 
.........He started on soloxine yesterday (1 tablet once a day) so i was wondering if i should give 1/2 a tablet twice a day instead, as mentioned earlier in this post ??.................Plus i have already retired Jacob from racing after reading about racing stress and the thyroid (plus he's got an old injury) but if i was to get him spot on does any one think it'll be ok to do a few veteran races with him (hes only 3 in may so he'll be fresh etc)......or is it really unfair to ever think of racing him again with his thyroid problem ??............Sorry lots of questions as i've got loads of info off the net but some of it contradicts itself :wacko: .....Hopefully someone will be able to help us out there . :thumbsup:
Thanks in advance (hopefully) Hannah
.........He started on soloxine yesterday (1 tablet once a day) so i was wondering if i should give 1/2 a tablet twice a day instead, as mentioned earlier in this post ??.................Plus i have already retired Jacob from racing after reading about racing stress and the thyroid (plus he's got an old injury) but if i was to get him spot on does any one think it'll be ok to do a few veteran races with him (hes only 3 in may so he'll be fresh etc)......or is it really unfair to ever think of racing him again with his thyroid problem ??............Sorry lots of questions as i've got loads of info off the net but some of it contradicts itself :wacko: .....Hopefully someone will be able to help us out there . :thumbsup:Thanks in advance (hopefully) Hannah
Sorry to hear that your boy has been diagnosed as hypothyroid. Do not worry too much about this - it is quite manageable and once the soloxine has kicked in, he should be feeling a lot happier and more full of beans !!STRIKE WHIPPETS said:My dog has just been diagnosed with hypothyroidism after extensive blood tests etc
You say he is on one tablet a day - but that really means nothing unless you state the strength - they start at 0.1mg (yellow) 0.2mg (orange) 0.3mg (green) 0.5mg (white) and 0.8mg (blue) And of course - it is important to know his weight.
Normally the starting dose is 0.1mg per 10lbs bodyweight, but it says on the leaflet that this is often too low and 0.2mg per 10bls bodyweight may be needed.
Having said that - it is also reckoned that sighthounds have a lower T4 reading than other dogs, and that this should be taken into account.
My two whippets are very small - and it is a tricky business getting the dose just right. Clinical signs are certainly very important - and then they can be confirmed (or otherwise) with regular blood tests.
Are you going to have another blood test in 4 - 6 weeks? If you do..... make sure that the blood is drawn between 4 and 6 hours after the morning dose and make sure that your vet makes a note of this. That is called "Peak" time and the lab take this into account.
With regard to the racing of Jacob. -
WEll - he is quite young isnt he?
Personally I would not enter him for competetive racing, but when he is back to his normal happy self - I cannot see that trialling him, or entering him in veteran races would do any harm. (provided you are prepared to pull him out after two runs)
I let mine do what they want - but do not race them any more - the elder one is too old now anyway, and I find that the younger one does suffer if there has been any untoward stress.
What made you have him checked - what were his symptoms and how long had he had them.
The other thing is - what was his T4 result? - do you have a copy of the result - if not, you could ask your vet for a copy (remember, you did pay for it!!)
Gosh, thats a bit long isnt it? - sorry - but it is a hobbyhorse of mine, and I have been dealing with this for sometime now, and still tweaking the doses about.
Do not expect visible results overnight !!
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Thankyou so much for your time and knowledge :huggles: .....Firstly over the past 6 months or so Jacobs had really "down" times, where he's been really tired, moody and he stands all hunched and looks like he's about 20 :unsure: .......He has always been a really happy and nice natured boy :wub: and it just wasn't like him to be snappy with the other dogs. He's also got balder and balder over this time as well (it's beyond bald thighs now ...... :wacko: ). Jacob is a really fast and honest dog on the track, but i started to notice that his performances could be outstanding one week and very poor the next (some people said that he was being lazy or dodgy :rant: .....but that's not him at all)
Jacobs about 29lbs now and yes he's started off on 0.3mg of Soloxine and he's due to have bloods taken in 5 weeks time.......My vets said that this dose will probably need upping then but obviously don't know to what dose he'll end up on. His T4 came back at 9 .......but i know that it was taken into account that he was having a "good" week (i also think that the T4 was done again when he had another lot of blood taken) but i'm not sure. I must say that my vets have been really thorough with him and have done all they can to make sure that this is a correct diagnosis.
As for his racing, i thought that it was unfair to even think about racing him but i'm not bothered as Jacob has a great standard of life with lots of doing what he wants up the fields and lots of hunting (on his own terms) Even though he loves his racing i know what he'd choose to do for the rest of his life :thumbsup: .........(but saying that i may get him ready for a vets champs race in about 3 years time as the vets normally only have 2 races and Jacob will be fresher than most .......that'll frighten them )........
Thankyou so much once again ......... Hannah
Jacobs about 29lbs now and yes he's started off on 0.3mg of Soloxine and he's due to have bloods taken in 5 weeks time.......My vets said that this dose will probably need upping then but obviously don't know to what dose he'll end up on. His T4 came back at 9 .......but i know that it was taken into account that he was having a "good" week (i also think that the T4 was done again when he had another lot of blood taken) but i'm not sure. I must say that my vets have been really thorough with him and have done all they can to make sure that this is a correct diagnosis.
As for his racing, i thought that it was unfair to even think about racing him but i'm not bothered as Jacob has a great standard of life with lots of doing what he wants up the fields and lots of hunting (on his own terms)
Even though he loves his racing i know what he'd choose to do for the rest of his life :thumbsup: .........(but saying that i may get him ready for a vets champs race in about 3 years time as the vets normally only have 2 races and Jacob will be fresher than most .......that'll frighten them )........Thankyou so much once again ......... Hannah
Hey, all those symptoms are classic hypothyroid signs - right down to the irritability. Sometimes they can be uncharacteristically aggressive. Thinning hair, lacklustre attitude etc.STRIKE WHIPPETS said:
0.3mg is certainly a low enough dose to start with - but your vet does sound very "on the ball" - lucky you. No doubt in 5 weeks the dose will be upped a bit - no bad thing. Hopefully you will notice small differences in his outlook within a week (very observant owners do notice things that are not apparent to outsiders).
T4 of 9 sounds really quite low - but it all depends what the lab range is
Idexx lab range is 17 - 54 nmol/l I suspect it could be the same range if your vet put Jacob on the soloxine immediately.
When mine was first discovered to be hypothyroid (on top of his auto immune haemolytic anaemia) - his T4 was 3 !! - so you can imagine what state he was in.
I agree with you to be cautious about racing mainly because that is within your power, but re the chasing of bunnies etc - well they often dont run so far anyway, and that is part of life isnt it? - much more fun really..
Hope he goes on okay - he is terribly young to have developed this - but I reckon, much as they just LOVE racing it does take an awful lot out of them when they get all hyped up and frantic.
If you want to discuss this further off list - feel free !!
With best wishes,
Kirawan
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Thankyou very much .......You're poor boy must have been feeling awful (I hope he's feeling alot better now ).......It must be great when the tablets start to work and they get back to being more like their old selves, because it takes such along time of them being slightly off colour then back to normal, that i sometimes wonder if Jacob's been suffering for longer than i'd noticed ..........but as the vet said with the Thyroid once its been properly diagnosed thats over 1/2 the battle
:cheers: Hannah
.......You're poor boy must have been feeling awful (I hope he's feeling alot better now ).......It must be great when the tablets start to work and they get back to being more like their old selves, because it takes such along time of them being slightly off colour then back to normal, that i sometimes wonder if Jacob's been suffering for longer than i'd noticed ..........but as the vet said with the Thyroid once its been properly diagnosed thats over 1/2 the battle :cheers: Hannah
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It's amazing...........after only 4 days of the Soloxine, Jacobs becoming his old self again, there's a real improvement ........ :thumbsup: ............pricless :wub:
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That's wonderful news - are you halving the dose and giving 12 hours apart (that really is the best way to give it....) dogs metabolism works so much faster than ours.STRIKE WHIPPETS said:
Nice to hear something good now and then.....
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I am halving the dose and doing as you've said ..........Jacob thinks this is wonderful as he gets 2 extra treats a day (normally cheese) that hes lording it about (and getting up the others noses )
..........Jacob thinks this is wonderful as he gets 2 extra treats a day (normally cheese) that hes lording it about (and getting up the others noses )
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Has anyone experienced their dogs over heating very quickly on their medication ??......Jacobs dose of Soloxine is now .2mg twice a day and he's very much better in himself but has unfortunatly collapsed today as he became so hot .....but we have clouds and a good breeze today and even though its warm its far from hot plus hes been paddling in the stream so he's had water etc ....Any information will be greatly recieved,...... thanks Hannah
If they are having too much soloxine, then overheating is a sign - as is hyperactivity. When was he last tested to see how the medication was working? It needs to be checked periodically so that you can reach the optimum level, which should be in the high part of normal, or fractionally over.STRIKE WHIPPETS said:
Sometimes the dose needs to be tweaked a bit.
I suspect that most dogs have been overheating during the last couple of days though - so it may be coincidence.
0.2mg twice a day - does not "sound" over the top. Was he last checked in March? If so, I would ask if he can be checked again.
Remember to give the dose 4 - 6 hours before blood is taken.
Best of luck.
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Thanks :thumbsup: ......his last blood test was 4 weeks ago and his thyroid is still on the low side but my vets don't want to try and increase him again as they are worried about the side effects if he's on a higher dose :blink: .......I'm not taking him out in the heat of the day as i know Jacob feels the heat (dosn't help being black) but he's just over heating so quickly, so i'll take him for another blood test then and see what they come up with .......(I did remember to have his bloods done 4-6 hours after his tablets as you had previosly said, so the results should be accurate )......Thanks again ......Hannah :thumbsup:
)......Thanks again ......Hannah :thumbsup:Welcome to Dog Forum!
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