Thyroid
The Doberman breed has a high incidence of hypothyroidism. The thyroid is a gland located in the neck that produces hormones responsible for controlling several organs and body functions. In simple terms, hypothyroidism is the deficiency of thyroid hormone.
Due to the thyroid’s effect on so many different systems, symptoms of hypothyroidism are varied. A common symptom is coat and skin problems. These problems include thinning of the coat, brittle or dry coat, hair loss, skin infection, discoloration of the skin, oily coat, and scaly and smelly skin.
Other common symptoms include obesity, weight loss, lethargy or listlessness, anemia, depression, weakness of the joints, slowing of the heart beat, inconsistent heat cycles, and complication during whelping in mother dogs.
In the Doberman, if hypothyroidism occurs it is usually during middle to old age and is usually due to natural atrophy of the gland or dietary iodine deficiency.
Diagnosing hypothyroidism is usually done with a blood test that measures amounts of thyroid hormone. However, a low thyroid hormone level does not necessarily indicate hypothyroidism. Illness and other problems can cause such deficiencies.
Treatment is fairly straight forward. Thyroid hormone in pill form is available for administration on a daily basis. Dogs under this treatment should be periodically tested to ensure the proper dose is being given.
The Doberman should have their thyroid hormone level checked once a year in an effort to identify this illness early. Doberman owners should also be aware of the symptoms of hypothyroidism and keep an eye out for them.
Due to the thyroid’s effect on so many different systems, symptoms of hypothyroidism are varied. A common symptom is coat and skin problems. These problems include thinning of the coat, brittle or dry coat, hair loss, skin infection, discoloration of the skin, oily coat, and scaly and smelly skin.
Other common symptoms include obesity, weight loss, lethargy or listlessness, anemia, depression, weakness of the joints, slowing of the heart beat, inconsistent heat cycles, and complication during whelping in mother dogs.
In the Doberman, if hypothyroidism occurs it is usually during middle to old age and is usually due to natural atrophy of the gland or dietary iodine deficiency.
Diagnosing hypothyroidism is usually done with a blood test that measures amounts of thyroid hormone. However, a low thyroid hormone level does not necessarily indicate hypothyroidism. Illness and other problems can cause such deficiencies.
Treatment is fairly straight forward. Thyroid hormone in pill form is available for administration on a daily basis. Dogs under this treatment should be periodically tested to ensure the proper dose is being given.
The Doberman should have their thyroid hormone level checked once a year in an effort to identify this illness early. Doberman owners should also be aware of the symptoms of hypothyroidism and keep an eye out for them.
Examination and Classification
Each dog is to be examined by an attending veterinarian and have a serum sample sent to an OFA approved laboratory for testing according to the enclosed application and general information instructions. The laboratory fee will be determined by the approved laboratory. All OFA forms and the OFA fee are submitted with the sample to the approved lab.
Certification
A breed database number of will be issued to all dogs found to be normal at 12 months of age. Ages will be used in the certification process since the classification can change as the dog ages and the autoimmune disease progresses. It is recommended that reexamination occur at ages 2,3,4,6, and 8 years.
Approved Thyroid Labs
The laboratory certification process will include quality control, quality assurance and reagent certification. Laboratories may apply and, if successful, will be approved to perform analysis for OFA thyroid certification. A site visit by a qualified veterinary endocrinologist chosen by the OFA will be required and continued quality assurance and quality control will be necessary to maintain certification. Fully certified status can be obtained by passing the site visit and passing the results of the first OFA quality assurance assay result test. The approved laboratory must be contacted for the appropriate submission forms, sample handling procedures, and laboratory service fee before collecting the sample.
Endocrine Diagnostic Center
Diagnostic Center for Population & Animal Health
4125 Beaumont Road
Lansing, MI 48910-8104
517-353-0621
Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
1 Sippel Rd.
College Station, TX 77843
979-845-3414 Cornell University
Diagnostic Endocrinology Laboratory
Upper Tower Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14853
607-253-3673
Cornell University
Diagnostic Endocrinology Laboratory
Upper Tower Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14853
607-253-3673
Animal Health Laboratory
Laboratory Services Division
University of Guelph
Door P2 Bldg. 49, McIntosh Lane
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, CANADA
519-824-4120 ext. 54501
University of California
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
Clinical Pathology, Chemistry, Room 1017
1 Garrod Drive
Davis, CA 95616
530-752-7380
IDEXX
1345 Denison St.
Markham, Ont, L3R 5V2
CANADA
1-800-667-3411
Antech Diagnostics*
1111 Marcus Ave.
Suite M28
Lake Success , NY 11042
800-872-1001
*only the Lake Success, NY location of Antech has been certified to process OFA thyroid panels
Each dog is to be examined by an attending veterinarian and have a serum sample sent to an OFA approved laboratory for testing according to the enclosed application and general information instructions. The laboratory fee will be determined by the approved laboratory. All OFA forms and the OFA fee are submitted with the sample to the approved lab.
Certification
A breed database number of will be issued to all dogs found to be normal at 12 months of age. Ages will be used in the certification process since the classification can change as the dog ages and the autoimmune disease progresses. It is recommended that reexamination occur at ages 2,3,4,6, and 8 years.
Approved Thyroid Labs
The laboratory certification process will include quality control, quality assurance and reagent certification. Laboratories may apply and, if successful, will be approved to perform analysis for OFA thyroid certification. A site visit by a qualified veterinary endocrinologist chosen by the OFA will be required and continued quality assurance and quality control will be necessary to maintain certification. Fully certified status can be obtained by passing the site visit and passing the results of the first OFA quality assurance assay result test. The approved laboratory must be contacted for the appropriate submission forms, sample handling procedures, and laboratory service fee before collecting the sample.
Endocrine Diagnostic Center
Diagnostic Center for Population & Animal Health
4125 Beaumont Road
Lansing, MI 48910-8104
517-353-0621
Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
1 Sippel Rd.
College Station, TX 77843
979-845-3414 Cornell University
Diagnostic Endocrinology Laboratory
Upper Tower Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14853
607-253-3673
Cornell University
Diagnostic Endocrinology Laboratory
Upper Tower Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14853
607-253-3673
Animal Health Laboratory
Laboratory Services Division
University of Guelph
Door P2 Bldg. 49, McIntosh Lane
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, CANADA
519-824-4120 ext. 54501
University of California
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
Clinical Pathology, Chemistry, Room 1017
1 Garrod Drive
Davis, CA 95616
530-752-7380
IDEXX
1345 Denison St.
Markham, Ont, L3R 5V2
CANADA
1-800-667-3411
Antech Diagnostics*
1111 Marcus Ave.
Suite M28
Lake Success , NY 11042
800-872-1001
*only the Lake Success, NY location of Antech has been certified to process OFA thyroid panels
No picture or text can be copied or redistributed without express permission of site owner.
