Obese Pit Bull Who Would ‘Eat While Lying Down’ Unbelievably Transformed After Weight Loss Journey
When Margo first arrived at a County shelter, she was morbidly obese, weighing a whopping 120lbs. Walking was a struggle for her, and she couldn’t eat or drink her water while standing; she had to lie down. Luckily, it didn’t take long before Margo’s heartbreaking state caught the attention of a shelter volunteer, who made the decision to foster this sweet Pittie and help her embark on a life-saving weight loss journey. (watch video below)
Margo suffered from hypothyroidism, which largely triggered the excess pounds. Thankfully, she started treatment for this condition and, with the help of her loving foster mom, began undertaking non-strenuous physical activities.
After months of consistently moving her body (more especially by going for walks), being on a restricted diet, and taking her hypothyroidism medications, Margo became a shadow of her former self….in the most amazing way possible. As of March this year, she was down to 55 lbs, and her quality of life has since improved tremendously!
Watch her remarkable journey below:
@oneloveaz Margo is and always has been more than her size. When we pulled her from the county shelter you could see the defeat in her eyes. As her health improved we found a sweet, playful, affectionate doggo with a hilarious personality. She is shy around unfamiliar people, but full of spunk and sass in her foster home. We are incredibly proud of how far she has come, and very grateful to her foster Mama for supporting her through this journey the past six months. From 120lbs and finding herself stuck at the county shelter to 76lbs today and thriving. You can follow Margo at @operation_margo_makeover to stay up to date on her progress. #operationmargomakeover #gomargogo #hypothyroidism #healthjourney #alwaysfabulous #fosterdogsofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #shelterdogsofinstagram #oneloveaz #onelovemanyhearts ♬ Here Comes the Sun – Relaxing Instrumental Music
Margo now enjoys life as a healthy dog, and her bubbly, affectionate personality — which had been suppressed by her weight struggles — now shines through.
Hypothyroidism in Dogs: Everything You Need to Know
Hypothyroidism is a hormonal condition characterized by the malfunctioning of a dog’s thyroid gland. Located in your dog’s neck, the thyroid gland is responsible for producing the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) — among other key thyroid hormones — that regulate your dog’s metabolism. In addition, these hormones help regulate your dog’s body temperature and improve their skin and coat.
When your dog is suffering from hypothyroidism, it means their thyroid gland isn’t producing enough thyroid hormones. As a result, their organs won’t function as correctly as they normally would, leading to a host of symptoms.
“Canine hypothyroidism is the most common hormonal imbalance in dogs. And when we see it, we see many organs affected. But generally speaking, when the thyroid hormone gets too low, we see a general metabolic slowdown. Think of thyroid hormones as like a dial for the metabolism,” explained Dr. Vanesa Farmer of WebMD in an Instagram post.
Hypothyroidism in dogs is often a result of two main conditions:
- Thyroiditis: A condition characterized by inflamed thyroid glands due to immune system attacks.
- Thyroid Glands Atrophy: This is when your dog’s thyroid tissues start to waste away. Atrophy is usually the last stage of thyroiditis.
While any dog can develop hypothyroidism, research shows that certain dog breeds are highly predisposed to it. According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, hypothyroidism is commonly diagnosed in Golden Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, Cocker Spaniels, Irish Setters, Dachshunds, Miniature Schnauzers, and Airedale Terriers.
On the other hand, there are dog breeds that are less likely to develop hypothyroidism. Findings by the Royal Veterinary College reveal that breeds at lower risk of developing hypothyroidism include Pugs, Cavachons, French Bulldogs, Cavapoos, and Yorkshire Terriers.
Moreover, these findings show that older, medium to large dog breeds — that is, dogs aged between 11 and 13 — have a much higher risk of developing hypothyroidism compared to younger dogs (those between 5 and 7 years old).
Clinical Signs of Hypothyroidism in Dogs
Dogs with hypothyroidism often develop a wide range of symptoms. Among the common hypothyroidism symptoms in dogs include:
- Unexplainable weight gain (usually without increased appetite)
- Disinterest in physical activity
- General lethargy
- Cold intolerance (they’ll constantly seek warm places)
- Excessive shedding and thinning of fur
- Frequent skin and ear infections
- A noticeable change in coat color from vibrant to dull
Uncommon Symptoms of Hypothyroidism in Dogs
In rare cases, hypothyroidism can lead to symptoms such as:
- Sudden seizures
- Reduced fertility
- Disorientation
- Muscle weakness
- Abnormal heart rate
- Unexpected aggression
- Gastrointestinal issues (constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, regurgitation)
Skin Problems in Dogs With Hypothyroidism
Since your dog’s thyroid gland plays an important role in their overall skin and coat health, having hypothyroidism puts them at risk of recurrent skin issues such as bacterial pyoderma.
“This disease can lead to progressive weight gain and lethargy. Thyroxine hormone is important for the maintenance of the skin and hair coat. So, dogs with hypothyroidism will have slow hair growth and may change to a lighter color. The hair may appear thin all over,” explained Dr Ashley Bourgeois of the Animal Dermatology Clinic in an Instagram post.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypothyroidism in Dogs
If your vet suspects your furry friend has hypothyroidism, they’ll likely carry out a full physical examination before performing blood tests.
Since the symptoms associated with hypothyroidism may be similar to those seen in many other medical conditions, an accurate diagnosis is often achieved through extensive blood screening tests. These tests uncover the level of thyroid hormones in your dog’s body.
Hypothyroidism in dogs isn’t curable but can be medically managed with the appropriate lifelong treatment. Typically, dogs diagnosed with hypothyroidism are often prescribed synthetic thyroid hormone medications to boost their thyroid hormone levels and support thyroid function.
Remember, it’s advisable not to try out any natural remedies for hypothyroidism in dogs that you may have come across on the internet without consulting your veterinarian.
Even as your dog continues taking these thyroid hormone medications, they’ll still need to see the vet periodically. These regular check-ups will help ensure that their thyroid hormone levels remain constantly monitored throughout their lifetime.
The good news is, with treatment, your dog can enjoy a high quality of life free from the debilitating symptoms of hypothyroidism.
“I had a Golden growing up with hypothyroidism, which we discovered when she was about 8 years old (she lived to be 12, for reference)….she immediately went on thyroid medication and the difference was INSANE. It helped her live a longer, happier life, and I would 100% recommend,” commented user @AffectionatePickle in a Reddit discussion on hypothyroidism treatment in dogs.
Diet for Hypothyroidism in Dogs
Hypothyroidism in dogs diet? For a dog with hypothyroidism, a balanced diet rich in high-quality protein and low in fat is essential. Lean meats like chicken, turkey, and fish can help maintain muscle mass, while controlled fat intake supports weight management, as hypothyroidism often slows metabolism. Complex carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes and brown rice provide energy without leading to weight gain. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids from sources like fish oil can reduce inflammation and improve skin and coat health, which are often affected by this condition.
Including iodine-rich foods, like seaweed or kelp, can support thyroid hormone production, but it’s important to consult your vet to avoid excessive iodine intake. Antioxidants from vegetables such as spinach and carrots boost overall immune function. However, avoid or limit goitrogenic vegetables (like broccoli and cauliflower) that may interfere with thyroid function unless cooked to reduce their effects.
For dogs with hypothyroidism, fresh dog food diets can provide a more personalized and nutrient-dense approach compared to commercial kibble or canned food. These diets are often made with high-quality, whole ingredients and can be tailored to specific dietary needs. Here are some premium fresh dog food options that focus on whole-food nutrition and can support dogs with hypothyroidism:
1. The Farmer’s Dog
- Overview: The Farmer’s Dog offers fresh, human-grade meals that are customized to your dog’s individual needs. Their meals are made from high-quality meats and vegetables, ensuring balanced nutrition with no fillers or artificial ingredients.
- Why It’s Good for Hypothyroidism: You can work with their team to tailor the food to your dog’s specific health requirements, ensuring that it’s lean, high-protein, and packed with nutrients that support metabolic health.
2. Nom Nom
- Overview: Nom Nom delivers fresh, portion-controlled meals made with whole ingredients like beef, chicken, or turkey, combined with vegetables like sweet potatoes and spinach.
- Why It’s Good for Hypothyroidism: Their high-protein, low-fat options support healthy metabolism and muscle maintenance. You can consult their nutrition experts to adjust the meals for dogs with specific conditions like hypothyroidism.
3. Spot & Tango
Why It’s Good for Hypothyroidism: Spot & tango offers high-quality, low-fat, and protein-rich meals that can help maintain a healthy weight in dogs with slower metabolisms. Their meals are also free from fillers and artificial preservatives.
Overview: Spot & Tango provides fresh, human-grade meals formulated by veterinarians. Their recipes focus on nutrient-rich, whole foods like turkey, lamb, and fish, combined with vegetables and grains.
While research shows that healthy animal-based fats such as salmon oil and vegetables like green beans, asparagus, celery, broccoli, and carrots can help support thyroid function, it’s best to consult your vet first before feeding your dog these foods.
Hypothyroidism in Dogs FAQs
Does salmon oil help with hypothyroidism in dogs?
Salmon oil is known to help improve thyroid function for dogs with hypothyroidism.
Ways of treating hypothyroidism in dogs naturally
As explained earlier, hypothyroidism in dogs is best managed medically with thyroid hormone replacement medications.
Can hypothyroidism cause seizures in dogs?
Yes, that’s right. In severe cases of hypothyroidism, some dogs can experience seizures.
Hypothyroidism in dogs symptoms
Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism in dogs include unexplainable weight gain, lethargy, disinterest in activity, thinning of the coat, excessive hair shedding, and recurrent skin problems.
Hypothyroidism in dogs medication
Usually, dogs diagnosed with hypothyroidism are often prescribed synthetic thyroid hormone medications.
Diagnosis of hypothyroidism
As stated earlier, accurate diagnosis of hypothyroidism in dogs is often achieved through extensive blood screening tests.
Please Note: This post is intended for informational purposes only. The advice provided in this post shouldn’t substitute medical advice from your veterinarian.
