Hypothyroidism is the inability of your dog’s thyroid gland to produce sufficient quantities of thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland is located in your dog’s neck, and it regulates several bodily functions including metabolism.

The lack of thyroid hormone will reduce your dog’s metabolism. Symptoms include weight gain, lack of energy, hair loss, increased shedding, flaky or discolored skin, and behavioral changes.

Hypothyroidism has several causes, but most often it is caused by your dog’s own immune system attacking the thyroid gland. This is referred to as autoimmune thyroiditis.

Your vet will take blood from your dog in order to measure blood thyroid levels. The two preferred blood tests used are called the Total T4 measurement test and the Free T4 measurement test. These tests essentially measure the quantity of a thyroid hormone called thyroxine, or T4, in your dog’s blood.

Thyroid hormones can be orally administered to your dog to compensate for the gland’s decreased production. You will generally have to give your dog these pills either once or twice a day.

There is no known prevention for hypothyroidism.

No, you cannot contract hypothyroidism from your dog.