You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Growth Hormone is secreted from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and has a number of biochemical  effects in the body.  

Growth hormone releasing hormone from the hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary to secrete growth hormone (also known as somatotrophin) into the circulation. This has many effects including stimulating protein synthesis, cell proliferation, cartilage synthesis and bone growth.

Low growth hormone concentrations can be the result of reduced synthesis, or impaired release. Normal thyroid status is needed for the pituitary to produce growth hormone, so growth hormone deficiency can be secondary to hypothyroidism. In addition, hyperadrenocorticism can cause a reversible growth hormone deficiency.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1)  is produced in the liver and this is responsible for many of the growth hormone-like actions.

Growth hormone assays are available for use in dogs, and a growth hormone stimulation test (using clonidine (10 micrograms/kg IV; or xylazine 100 micrograms/kg )  is used to determine if there is a growth hormone deficiency.

Synthetic human growth hormone is used for the treatment of pituitary dwarfism and for growth hormone-responsive dermatoses, which result in bilaterally symmetrical alopecia of the trunk, thighs and neck Primary hairs are lost first, followed by the secondary hairs. This disorder occurs most frequently in Chow Chows, Keeshonds, Poodles, Pomeranians and Samoyeds aged 1-2 years.

The dose rate of growth hormone (pig, cattle or synthetic) that has been recommended for use in dogs is :

0.1unit/kg 3 times weekly for up to 6 weeks. Hair regrowth usually occurs in 4-6 weeks and can be expected to remain for 2-3 years.

Unfortunately this treatment is expensive. In addition, some patients develop diabetes mellitus, and others may have a hypersensitivity reaction to the drug. 

Growth hormone deficiency has been reported in the German Shepherd dog and Wiemaraner CLICK HERE

Growth hormone is an important factor in the normal ageing process CLICK HERE

Updated October 2013