Thyroid Test for Dogs & Cats in Lahore: T4, TSH & Results
Thyroid problems run in opposite directions in dogs and cats. Dogs tend to develop an underactive thyroid — weight gain, tiredness, a thin coat and repeated skin infections. Older cats tend to develop an overactive one — weight loss despite a big appetite, restlessness and vomiting. A thyroid profile measures the hormones (T4 and T3) and the brain's signal to the thyroid (TSH).
What pet owners say
★★★★★5.0on Google Play · 22 reviews“Monthly blood tests were a hassle and expensive. Through MatchVet the lab took her sample at home — with a great discount too.”
Aiman K. · Lab work at home · WhatsApp
- ★★★★★
“One thing I love is that I can see the price of every pet care service before booking — and the app even shows what's included. It makes it super easy.”
Zainab V. · Booking with upfront prices · Google Play
“The pricing is quite reasonable and this has made pet services so easy to avail at our doorstep. Well done MatchVet team!”
Rehma B. · Grooming at home · WhatsApp
What it costs at the lab
These are the lab's own prices. Most clinics in Pakistan don't run tests in-house — they send the sample to a lab like this one and add their own charges, so the figure your clinic quotes is rarely the lab's.
Includes: Total T4, Total T3, TSH
In DHA Phase 1 and DHA Phase 2, the lab's team collects the sample at your home. Anywhere else, visit the lab at 170-G, Commercial Area, DHA Phase 1, Lahore, open 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
Why vets ask for a thyroid test
- Dogs: weight gain without eating more, low energy, thinning coat or hair loss, recurring skin or ear infections, feeling the cold
- Cats, usually over ten: weight loss while eating well or more, constant hunger, restlessness, vomiting, a fast heartbeat
- Monitoring a pet already on thyroid medication
What it measures
| Part | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Total T4 | The main thyroid hormone — the key screening value in both dogs and cats |
| Total T3 | The active hormone; it adds little on its own in pets and is read alongside T4 |
| TSH | The brain's signal telling the thyroid to work harder — high when the thyroid is underactive |
Reading the results — good and bad
| Result | What it can mean |
|---|---|
| Dog — low T4 with high TSH | Supports an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) |
| Dog — low T4, normal TSH | Often another illness or a medicine lowering T4 — not proof of thyroid disease; your vet may retest |
| Cat — high T4 | Supports an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), especially in an older cat losing weight |
| Cat — T4 high-normal, with signs | Early disease, or another illness masking it — vets often repeat the test |
Before the test
- No strict fasting unless other tests are run from the same sample.
- If possible, test when your pet is otherwise stable — a current illness can distort the result.
- Pets on thyroid medicine: ask your vet when to give the dose relative to the test.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a thyroid test cost in Lahore?
VETix Animal Health Laboratories charges Rs 5,400 when booked through MatchVet (Rs 6,000 as a walk-in). If your clinic sends the sample to an outside lab, its price usually includes its own collection and handling charges on top — so ask which lab it uses, and compare like with like.
Which dogs get an underactive thyroid?
It is most common in middle-aged, medium to large dogs, and some breeds — Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Dobermans and Cocker Spaniels among them — are more prone. It develops slowly, so owners often put the changes down to age.
Can an overactive thyroid in cats be treated?
Yes. Most cats do well on daily medication with regular blood checks. Left untreated it strains the heart and kidneys, so it is worth diagnosing.
Does my pet need the full profile or just T4?
For a first check in a cat, total T4 is the key value. In dogs, T4 together with TSH gives a clearer answer than T4 alone. Your vet will say which your pet needs.
Kutte mein thyroid ki kami ki nishaniyan kya hain?
Wazan barhna jab ke khuraak wohi ho, susti, baal patle hona ya jharna, baar baar skin infection, aur thand zyada lagna. Yeh sab aahista aahista hota hai, is liye log ise umar samajh lete hain.
Read next
Medically reviewed by Dr. Yahya Nawaz (DVM, RVMP). General guidance, not a diagnosis — the vet who examined your pet reads the result against its history.
Book a thyroid test
Post your pet’s needs and budget — verified vets reply with offers, usually within the hour. Free to post, cash on delivery.
Verified vetsCash on delivery
MatchVet · Lahore, Pakistan · +92-312-1488954