Canine Hypothyroidism

[Sandersmr]

Anyone have experience with canine hypothyroidism? The vet believes Oscar's symptoms may be indicative of this. They did the quick and dirty blood test today and his came back 1.7, which they said was on the low side of the normal range. Anyway, he put Oscar on thyroid pills to see if he perks up and his hair grows back.

Oscar has lost over 10 pounds in the last year, he pants a lot and seems to be lethargic or slightly out of it when doing this - he just stands there. He's been licking and scratching and chewing, which we attributed to food allergies so we had changed his food. But he's also losing hair on the back of his hind legs and along both sides of his tail. His skin in the groin area has turned really dark. And his heart appears to be slightly enlarged but that's kind of hard to tell since there are no baseline x-rays. And since he had heartworms when we got him, that may have contributed to the enlargement.

I hope that we hit on a combination of treatment/diet that allows him to enjoy life again and that lets me get a full night's sleep instead of Oscar waking me with his licking or chewing.

[VickieP]

Hope the pills take care of it. Let us know how he's doing. Did the Vet say how long before there should be a change?

[mitch5252]

..
I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Our babies being sick is so difficult.
Good luck with Oscar. I hope he's all better soon.
..

[Sandersmr]

Hope the pills take care of it. Let us know how he's doing. Did the Vet say how long before there should be a change?

We got a 30 day supply of the pills, so hopefully soon. He said dietary changes take up to 8 weeks to notice a change, but with Oscar's symptoms, he seemed to think it wasn't, or at least not just, dietary allergies.

[avalen]

awwww, poor little guy, hope he feels better soon and you can get some relief and some rest.

[Redwahine]

Tyler is on soloxine 2 times a day for hypothyroidism. Has been for over 5 yrs now. Blood test once a year to check levels. It helps him with the energy, weight and coat. He is still itchy and chews his feet. Still trying to figure out that one. Hope Oscar feels better and you figure out the problem.

[Redetotry]

We have been treating Winnie for low thyroid for about 3 years, hers is around 1.6 but while she has a lot of hair loss and her skin in the groin area and down the back legs have turned black she has gained weight and has no itching. She also pants, drinks excessive amounts of water and has an enlarged stomach. The last medication she was on (Thyro-Tabs), was not available for reorder when I called for a refill last week, as the plant has been closed by the I think they said the FDA, with no reason made public. Check what med you were given just in case your vet had some of these on hand. If his symptoms haven't improved by the time you have his next check up I would ask for the more complete blood work up. I had another dog whose symptoms were more in line with Oscars, we gave her the thyroid pills for awhile but stopped when the symptoms cleared up after changing her food and never returned.

It was suggested we give Winnie fish oil and work her up to 1 teas of vegetable oil a day. We gave her the fish oil but instead of the vegetable oil started giving her Life Oil (tm) Sea Buckthorn. The vet said was fine in combination with her medication. The blackness has just about disappeared and she is getting some new hair growth on her tail. After talking to the vet yesterday I am convinced Winnie's problem isn't thyroid but that is a whole other story which I won't go into at this time.

I just saw Reds post and the medication Soloxine is one that was recommended to me by a long time Dobe rescue person. IF I continue with thyroid meds I am going to insist this one be given, I asked before but the vet said they preferred this other one.

[BirdbyBird]

I am familiar with the soloxine used as treatment, also.

[Sandersmr]

The one thing Oscar is doing that's not indicative of hypothyroidism is the weight loss instead of weight gain. I'm hoping by time I get back from MI - 2.5 weeks of the pills - I will be able to see a difference. That will be over halfway into the 30 day supply. And I need to check for sure what he's getting. It's on the bottle and I forgot to check.