Thyroid Disease

Thyroid disease is diagnosed by evaluating thyroid hormone levels in the blood. Hypothyroidism (underactive hyroid) is more common , in dogs, but rare in cats, while the opposite is true for hyperthyroidism {overactive thyroid). Signs of thyroid disease include (but are not limited to): weight gain (mild to marked obesity), weight loss despite good appetite, restlessness, hyperactivity, lethargy or exercise intolerance. Other signs are scaling and dry haircoat, excessive shedding, hairloss which may begin on the tail or neck (may progress tobilaterally symmetrical body hair loss, excluding head and legs), cutaneous hyperpigmentation, diarrhea, vomitting, and recurrent ear and skin infections.