Lasik Eye Correction

Hypothyroidism and eye problems in dogs?

Anyone know if Hypothyroidism can cause eye problems in dogs? If so, what kind? could it cause Glaucoma or loss of eye sight? I googled and cant seem to find what I'm looking for... Thanks. Thought I would add...he's a rotti/chow mix. Thats our closest guess anyway, he came to us as a stray 12 years ago.

Public Comments

1. If you can afford a Vet; get your Cat on Hypothyroids medication because this is one disease with a maintenance-type cure. You have to give the meds religiously. If not; KELP a dried Seaweed given daily. Fish Oil; such as Cod Liver Oil; will surely help the eyes considerably; 1/8 teasp. day.
2. I haven't found a specific tie between the two as in one leading to the other however many many breeds that are genetically prone to one of these can also be prone to the other. They could be two unrelated defects in the line. Depending on breed there can be a lot more a dog can be at risk for. Thyroid problems can be diagnosed and treated now at a fair cost. Of all the genetic problems it is probably one of the easier to maintain control of with medication.
3. It can cause Graves disease, where the eyes appear to "poke out". It will not cause Glaucoma
4. I have dealt with hypothyroid dogs, and dogs with glaucoma, and I've never seen the two linked. I have had two dogs with glaucoma, neither were hypothyroid. I have had two dogs with hypothyroidism -- one had corneal dystrophy (diagnosed long before she developed hypothyroidism), and the other had pannus (also developed long before the thyroid problems, and was probably genetic). So, no, I can't from experience difinitively say that hypothyroidism is linked to specific eye problems, and I certainly don't think there's evidence to support the idea that it causes them. I personally think that hypothyroidism is over-diagnosed, but that's another thread. Sounds like you're dealing with two separate problems, here. ADDED: I've been thinking about this and, again, you have a 12+ year old dog. Failing eyesight is a common problem -- most old dogs have cataracts. I have a 17 year old dog with eyes so greyed-over and cloudy that you can't tell what color they are. Hypothyroidism is also more common in older dogs -- neither of my two developed it until they were close to 10 years old. You sure you aren't dealing with two unrelated "old dog" problems? :)