Many people are diagnosed with “hypothyroidism.” Although this disease is rare in the feline population, it can occur quite frequently in canines and the German Pointer is one of the breeds that can develop this metabolic disorder. The thyroid is an extremely important gland in the body that has two lobes and is located on both sides of the windpipe (windpipe). The thyroid secretes a hormone that is responsible for regulating the body’s metabolic rate. If the thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone, the dog can become “hypothyroid” and this will slow down the metabolic rate of the German Shorthaired Pointer. This is not a good thing that happened to your dog.
The dog’s immune system is significantly involved in the development of hypothyroidism because this system does not work properly and negatively affects thyroid tissue and kills thyroid cells. At first, the German Shorthaired Pointer’s body retaliates by secreting excess thyroid hormone, but the dog’s body will not be able to continue to do so and a lack of sufficient thyroid hormone results in the development of hypothyroidism. The scientific jury is still out on the exact reason for this particular autoimmune disorder, but it believes in a genetic predisposition and possible contributing factors for allergies and possibly environmental pollutants.
Some of the symptoms that should result in a vet visit for your German Shorthaired Pointer include lethargy, poor food intake with weight gain. If you notice that your dog does not seem to want to play, sleeps a lot, tires more easily when performing usual activities, see the vet for an examination. If the GSP has hypothyroidism, the dog may also be prone to dry skin, bacterial skin infection, hair loss. The dog’s tolerance to changes in temperature, especially colder temperatures, may decrease. Some affected animals can end up with chronic ear infections and possibly negative behavior changes that will be easily observed by the astute owner.
When you bring your GSP in for examination, you will review obvious symptoms and / or mood and behavior changes with your veterinarian. The vet will draw blood for the test that can determine the level of thyroid hormone in your pet’s blood. If the blood test results indicate that your GSP is secreting a lower than normal amount of thyroid hormone and you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism, the vet will most likely prescribe a synthetic thyroid hormone that your dog will likely need to continue for the rest. weather. that’s life. This medicine should solve the problem and you should see increased energy and more positive changes in mood and behavior.