Animal Wellness Magazine Integrative treatments for canine hypothyroidism

Canine hypothyroidism benefits from an integrative treatment approach using diet, supplements, and herbs alongside conventional medication. ​

Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder in dogs. Your veterinarian must make an accurate diagnosis to develop an effective treatment plan. This article highlights integrative treatments for canine hypothyroidism. They cover therapies from nutrition to herbs and supplements.

Supplements for dogs with hypothyroidism ​

• Iodine

Iodine is essential to thyroid hormone production. It also has a vital role in early growth and organ development, especially the brain. Iodine regulates the metabolic activity of most body cells (muscle, heart, liver, kidney). It can even help prevent cancers.

Foods don’t naturally contain iodine, and poor land management and frequent flooding often leave soils deficient. Grass-fed animals that graze on these soils can develop iodine deficiency.

You can supplement your hypothyroid dog’s diet with kelp and other foods rich in iodine to help support and boost his thyroid gland. Iodine supplementation with 2% Lugol’s Solution is an easy, inexpensive way to increase iodine intake to healthy levels.

Keep in mind that giving your dog too much iodine can prove harmful. It can negatively affect dogs taking thyroid medication (thyroxine), which leads to a worsening of the very hypothyroidism you are trying to treat.

Tip: It’s vital to work with an integrative or holistic veterinarian before giving your dog any new supplements or herbs.

Fish (e.g. cod, mahimahi, tuna) provide some of the best dietary sources of iodine. Other sources include pasteurized raw milk, wild and pasture-raised livestock meats and organs (beef, chicken, pork, lamb), eggs from pasture-raised hens, and turkey.

• Zinc

Zinc is a critical trace mineral essential for immune system function. It plays a key role in more than 300 enzymatic and metabolic processes. These processes include cell replication and the production of thyroid hormones.

Zine is also necessary for skin health. Deficiency commonly causes zinc-responsive dermatosis, especially prevalent among Huskies, Malamutes and Samoyeds. These breeds have a genetic predisposition for poor zinc absorption. Zinc deficiency can also affect reproduction.

• Selenium

Another essential trace mineral, selenium defends the body against oxidative damage. It also boosts the immune response. Selenium potentially increases the effectiveness of vitamin E and is critical for recycling iodine.

Tip: Many countries have selenium-deficient soils. Crops grown on these soils often contain relatively low levels of selenium. These include cereal grains used for pet foods.

Selenium maintains the health of the thyroid; a deficiency leads to hypothyroidism. However, the resulting signs may be difficult to spot. This is because blood levels of thyroid hormones are usually normal in cases of selenium deficiency.

Manufacturers use synthetic antioxidants to preserve some dog foods. This can impair the bioavailability of selenium (as well as vitamins A and E). To help prevent deficiency, dogs should eat diets preserved naturally with vitamins E and C. Because selenium is also the most toxic mineral, dogs need it in only very low doses.

• Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that neutralizes cell-damaging free radicals. It helps prevent cancer and diseases of the circulatory system (such as arteriosclerosis) and slows the aging process.

Vitamin E also boosts the immune system, oxygenates the blood, and improves the function of internal organs. It protects hormones from oxidation, reduces inflammation, and helps fight infection.

Veterinarians use vitamin E to treat skin disorders and immune-mediated diseases. Dogs deficient in vitamin E may display “brown bowel syndrome.” This is a condition where the bowels ulcerate and hemorrhage, and the tissue degenerates. Good sources of vitamin E include cold-pressed vegetable oils, meats, nuts, seeds, and green leafy vegetables.

• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

Vitamin B6 is essential for a healthy nervous system and protein metabolism. It’s also crucial for the formation and function of red blood cells, and healthy cognitive and immune function. Signs of vitamin B6 deficiency include anemia, seizures, skin disorders, arthritis, fatigue, kidney damage, and more.

Since all B vitamins are water-soluble, the body does not store excess amounts in the tissues. If a dog consumes too much vitamin B6, the body eliminates it through the urine. This greatly reduces the risk of toxicity.

Tip: Cooking and processing destroy much of the vitamin B6 in raw foods.

Good sources of vitamin B6 include meat, poultry, fish, whole grains, and legumes. Green leafy vegetables such as kale, collard greens, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and chard are also beneficial. Bananas are a good source of vitamin B6 too.

• Vitamin D

Research links vitamin D deficiency to numerous autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune thyroiditis. It plays an important role in balancing the cell-mediated and humoral arms of the immune system.

Vitamin D deficiency is specifically associated with autoimmune thyroid disease. Studies show this vitamin benefits autoimmune-mediated thyroid dysfunction.

To perform its function, circulating vitamin D must first activate the vitamin D receptor (VDR). But many of those with autoimmune disease have a genetic polymorphism that affects the expression and activation of the VDR. This reduces the biologic activity of vitamin D.

With low thyroid function, vitamin D deficiency can occur even if blood levels of vitamin D are normal.

• Linoleic acid

Linoleic acid is an Omega-6 essential fatty acid that dogs must obtain from food. It is the most important Omega-6 for dogs. The body uses linoleic acid to produce other Omega-6 fatty acids. It is also important for the dog’s skin and coat because it allows the skin to become permeable to water.

Sunflower, safflower, corn, and evening primrose oil are excellent sources of linoleic acid. However, too much Omega-6 can be pro-inflammatory.

Vegetables and fruits for hypothyroid dogs​

Dogs benefit from the disease-fighting nutrients in vegetables and fruits. This is especially true of the anthocyanins, like green leafy and yellow/orange vegetables. Brightly-colored fruits also contain a wealth of important nutrients.

1. Green leafy vegetables provide abundant antioxidants and cancer-fighting nutrients. These include phytochemicals, non-nutritive plant chemicals that may help prevent disease. Phytochemicals include carotenoids (e.g. beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin), flavonoids (e.g. quercetin, resveratrol, rutin) and phytosterols.

Green leafy vegetables provide fiber and nutrients without adding excess fat or calories. They boost the dog’s immune system without packing on the pounds.

Many tasty varieties of green leafy vegetables will entice even the most carnivorous canine. Try lightly steaming or blending spinach, broccoli, kale, lettuce, Italian parsley, Swiss chard, collards, Bok choy or turnip greens. Offer them at least three times per week.

Tip: Lightly cooking green leafy vegetable breaks down the fiber and cellulose, making them more digestible for your dog.

2. The yellow/orange family of vegetables includes the carotenoids. These phytochemicals give them their lovely bright color. Yellow/orange veggies also contain other phytochemicals, including vitamin C and flavonoids. These nutrients are known for their antioxidant and disease-fighting properties.

Just add a variety of yellow/orange vegetables such as squash, carrots, pumpkin, yellow beets, yams, and sweet potatoes to your dog’s diet. Lightly steam them for super taste and maximum nutrition.

3. Fruits such as apples, peaches, pears, bananas, and berries (e.g. blueberries, cranberries) are high in many valuable vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Offer your dog a slice of banana or apple for a snack instead of doggy biscuits. Or add a scoop of blueberries to some yogurt for an immune-boosting breakfast.

Integrative treatments for canine hypothyroidism embrace a wide range of therapies. They include conventional medication, diet, supplements and herbs (see sidebar on page xx). Again, be sure to work with your veterinarian to develop the right treatment plan for your hypothyroid dog.

Herbs that help with hypothyroidism ​

Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus): Large brown seaweeds, useful when

hypothyroidism coexists with obesity

Cranberry fruit extract (Vaccinium macrocarpon): High in antioxidants

Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Helps the digestive issues and and joint pain accociated with hyothyroidism

Green tea (Camellia sinensis): Better antioxidant than white or black tea with minimal oxidation during processing; rich in tannins and polyphenol catechins

Large brown seaweeds/kelp: Helps provide iodine for hypothyroidism, but overdosing is dangerous

Medicinal mushrooms: Chaga, Cordyceps, Maitake, Reishi, Shiitake, Turkey Tail

Magnolia berry (Schisandra): Adaptogen that promotes endurance in hypothyroidism by reducing stress hormones

Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Colored member of the ginger family; potent antioxidant and antimicrobial.

Food ingredients to avoid ​

Soy

Soybeans are dietary goitrogens (substances that cause goiter, or enlargement of the thyroid gland). The presence of soy in many dog foods likely contributes to the increasing incidence of canine hypothyroidism.

Glutens

There is a connection between autoimmune thyroid disease and gluten intolerance in both people and dogs, leading to “leaky gut” and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Eliminate all gluten-containing foods from your dog’s diet if you suspect food sensitivities. This includes treats and supplements, so please read ingredient labels carefully. Buckwheat is an excellent non-gluten grain protein source.

What are the symptom of canine hypothyroidism?​

1. Changes in appetite
2. Unexplained weight gain, even if the dog is eating less
3. Lethargy
4. Dull coat or hair loss
5. Cold intolerance
6. Behavioral changes

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