Aggression in dogs can have a medical base. Medically-induced aggression can result in growling, snapping, showing teeth and positioning the body in a dominant stance. Medical causes of aggression in dogs include hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia and brain inflammation.
Brain inflammation that occurs in conditions such as encephalitis is one of the most serious medical causes of aggression in dogs. Rabies and distemper are both types of viral encephalitis. In cases of brain inflammation due to diseases such as encephalitis, the aggression is usually a neurological reaction to the affect of the inflammation on the brain.
Fact checked
What are Some Common Medical Causes of Aggression in Dogs?
Expert Reviewed By:
.avif){kind=small}
In this article
What are ESA Rules in your State?
California
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
If you are a California resident and have a dog you must establish a relationship of no less than 30 days with the therapist writing the ESA letter.
The law that requires this is the AB 468 law which was passed on January 1, 2022.
This law doesn’t apply to any other type of ESA.
Dog Diseases that Cause Aggression
Dogs can exhibit aggression due to various underlying diseases, including rabies, hypothyroidism, psychomotor epilepsy, neoplasia, and metabolic disorders. Proper diagnosis and treatment of these conditions can help manage aggressive behavior in dogs.
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is another possible cause of aggression and may or may not be related to diabetes. Dogs with low blood sugar may feel disoriented and strange. If they feel vulnerable, they may behave aggressively in order to avoid appearing weak. Dogs with low blood sugar may appear glassy-eyed with a staring look. Weakness or collapse may occur. A veterinarian can perform a simple blood test to diagnose hypoglycemia.
Hypothyroidism is one of the most common medical causes of aggression in dogs. Very low thyroid levels affect mood. Thyroid replacement therapy has worked to relieve aggression in dogs with hypothyroidism in some cases. Weight gain, lethargy and the loss of a large amount of hair are other symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Over 50 different breeds and cross-breeds are susceptible to hypothyroidism, and it is one of the most studied causes of dog aggression. Behavioral changes, especially aggression, are often the earliest signs of this condition. Even a dog that was once friendly to strangers may become aggressive if it has extremely low thyroid levels. A veterinarian can conduct a blood test to diagnose hypothyroidism.
Medical causes of aggression in dogs may sometimes be more subtle than growling and snapping. A dog may suddenly begin to stand on people's feet or block doorways as a way of exerting dominance. Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), sometimes called "dog's Alzheimer's disease," is thought to be another cause of aggression. CDS may lead to behavioral changes due to the loss of brain cells caused by brain degeneration.
For more information on pet care and other helpful resources, visit Pettable's blog.
Meet the author:
Susana is an avid animal lover and has been around animals her entire life, and has volunteered at several different animal shelters in Southern California. She has a loving family at home that consists of her husband, son, two dogs, and one cat. She enjoys trying new Italian recipes, playing piano, making pottery, and outdoor hiking with her family and dogs in her spare time.
