Effects of Thyroidal Disturbance on the Behavior of Domestic Dogs (Canis Lupus Familiaris)

Source:
By:Author(s)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30564/jzr.v4i3.4546

Abstract:

Hypothyroidism is not uncommon in dogs, but it is actually very often diagnosed in elderly dogs. When and how does the disease start? What are the first recognizable signs? The first symptoms are usually changes in the behavior. First, these changes are quite subtle, but as the illness progresses, they can get very grave. We do often hear from the worried owners, that their report of a behavioral change to their vet is often ignored, not taken seriously or simply interpreted as unsteady or insufficient dog training/ education. This not taking seriously of the first signs is very concerning and a big problem in many ways. It is delaying the finding of the right diagnosis and treatment, which leads to suffering of the animal and the owner. In some cases, it leads to giving the dog up as an unbearable danger to the family. So the dog, who is only ill and could be back to normal with the right medical treatment, and finally ends up in a dog shelter or a new family. The common understanding is, that hypothyreoidism is an illness solely occurring in the elderly dog. In contrast to this, the authors found out, that thyroidal problems occur already at relatively young ages. This is a very important finding, considering that many clinically practising veterinarians expect hypothyreoidism only in the aged or elderly dog and will not run any diagnostics in relatively young or middle-aged animals. The authors also found significant differences in the personality traits of emotional stability and extraversion. Therefore, we would like to expand the existing studies, so that this widely underestimated topic finally comes to the fore and hopefully, in the future the right diagnostcal steps can be taken at an early stage of the disease.

References:

[1]Bernauer-Münz, H., 2008. Aggressive behaviour of dogs towards people - reasons & therapy. Kleintier Konkret. 11(05), 7-13. (In Germany) [2]Overall, K., 2000. Nonhuman animal models ofhuman psychiatric conditions: Assessmemt of mechanisms and validity. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry. 24, 727-776. [3]Casey, R.A., 2002. Fear and Stress. Horwitz DF, Mills D, Heath S (eds.). BSVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine. BSAVA, Gloucester. pp. 144-153. [4]Fatjo, J., Bowen, J., 2009. Medical and metabolic influences on behavioral disorders. Horwitz DF, Mills D, eds. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioral Medicine. Quedgeley, UK: BSAVA. pp. 1–9. [5]Köhrle, J., Petrides, P.E., 2008. Hypothalamic-hypophysary system and its target issues. Löffler G, Petrides PE and Heinrich PC. Biochemistry & pathobiochemistry 8. Edition Springer Medizin Verlag Heidelberg. pp. 841-892. ISBN: 3-540-32680-4. (In Germany). [6]Kikuchi, M., Komuro, R., Oka, H., et al., 2004. Relationship between anxiety and thyroid function inpatients with panic disorder. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry. 29, 77-81. [7]Thun, K. V., 2010. Thyroid parameters and cholesterol values in dogs with behavioural problems and behavioural disorders. Doctoral dissertation, München, University, Dissertation, 2010. (In Germany). [8]Huber, M.B., 2011. Relationships between thyreoidea, reproductive cycle and pregancy in female dogs - a literature review and sonagraphic study. DOI : 10.5282/edoc.13453. (In Germany). [9]Crocker, A.D., Oversteet, D.H., 1984. Modification of the behavioural effects of haloperidol and of dopamine receptor regulation by altered thyroid status. Psychopharmacology. 82, 102-106. [10]Mano, T., Sakamoto, H., Fujita, K., et al., 1998. Effects of thyroid hormone on catecholamine and its metabolite concentrations in rat cardiac muscle and cerebral cortex. Thyroid. 8(2), 353–358. [11]Aronson, L.P., Dodman, N.H., 1997. Thyroid dysfunction as a cause of aggression in dogs and cats. Jahrestagung DVG-FG Kleintierkrankheiten. 228. [12]Dodds, W.J., 2004. Behavioral issues with thyroiditis. Proc Am Hol Vet Med Assoc 2004: 55–59. [13]Carillo, M., Ricci, L.A., Coppersmith, G.A., et al., 2009. The effect of increased serotonergic neurotransmission on aggression: A critical meta-analytical review of preclinical studies. Psychopharmacology. 205(3), 349-368. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-009-1543-2 [14]Beaver, B.V., Haug, L.I., 2003. Canine behaviors associated with hypothyroidism. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. 39. [15]Turcsan, B., Eubinyi, E., Miklosi, A., 2011. Trainability and boldness traits differ between dog breed clusters based on conventional breed categories and genetic relatedness. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 132(1), 61-70. [16]Gosling, S., Jones, A., 2005. Temperament and personality in dogs (Canis familiaris): A review and evaluation of past research. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 95(1-2), 1-53. [17]Taborsky, B., English, S., Fawcett., T.W., et al., 2021. Towards an evolutionary theory of stress responses. Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 36, 39-48. [18]Sheppard, G., Mills, D., 2002. The development of a psychometric scale for the evaluation of the emotional predispositions of pet dogs. International Journal of Comparative Psychology. 15, 201-222. [19]Wright, H.F., Mills, D., Pollux, P.M.J., 2011. Development and validation of a psychometric tool for assessing impulsivity in the Domestic dog (Canis familiaris). International Journal of Comparative Psychology. 24, 210-225. [20]Stenzel, D., Huttner, W.B., 2013. Role of maternal thyroid hormones in the developing neocortex and during human evolution. Frontiers in Neuroanatomy. 7, 19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnana.2013.00019 [21] Sundburg, C.R., Belanger, J.M., Bannasch, D.L., et al., 2016. Gonadectomy effects the risk of immune disorders in the dog: a retrospective study. BMC Veterinary Research. 12, 278.