My dog suddenly seems very sluggish. Is it just old age?
My dog suddenly seems very sluggish. Is it just old age?
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Sometimes a senior dog will suddenly seem to get old and sluggish. Often the reason is not advanced age, but hypothyroidism – a condition where the thyroid gland stops producing enough hormones. Hypothyroidism can cause hair loss and weight gain – even in dogs with a diminished appetite.
Researchers think canine hypothyroidism has a genetic basis. This makes it very different from feline thyroid problems. Cats often develop hyperthyroidism – a condition where they produce too much thyroid hormone. Veterinarians suspect that feline hyperthyroidism – which causes weight loss, not gain - is triggered by environmental factors.
– Dr. Andrea Looney, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series