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Thyroid Health Issues


Meea
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Lethargy; inexplicable weight gain; hair loss (usually symmetrical) ..... because the thyroid is responsible for the good function of every organ in the body, there can and are so many symptoms. But the obvious symptoms (such as the inexplicable weight gain and obvious symmetrical hair loss, darkening of skin in the groin etc) usually become evident when the thyroid function is down by about 70%.

So the thyroid can be dysfunctioning far earlier than one can tell via the nakid eye. Sometimes it shows in behavioural changes even before anything physical is evident. In the very early outset it can be things such as anxiety, over vigilence, inexplicable aggression, nervousness. Excessive moulting can be another sign, also a dull coat can be a signal.

So many of the signs can also be signs of something else, so it isn't easy to diagnose.

If you google Dr Jean Dodds + thyroid, you'll come up with her articles on the topic. There are many others as well.

What symptoms are you seeing, Meea?

Edited by Erny
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Jean Dodds has a book, released March 2011, called The Canine Thyroid Epidemic Answers you need for your dog. Really worth the read - if you have a kindle or kindle app on your computer it is immediately available for $9.99 from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Canine-Thyroid-Epidemic-Answers-ebook/dp/B004XW9P8E/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=A24IB90LPZJ0BS&qid=1328702518&sr=8-2

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As per op just lethergy and heat intolerance but front legs seem dwarfish compared to the rest of him. 18mths now so probably wont change on meds? Waiting on path. Waiting waiting. Waiting.

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Jean Dodds has a book, released March 2011, called The Canine Thyroid Epidemic Answers you need for your dog. Really worth the read - if you have a kindle or kindle app on your computer it is immediately available for $9.99 from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Canine-Thyroid-Epidemic-Answers-ebook/dp/B004XW9P8E/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=A24IB90LPZJ0BS&qid=1328702518&sr=8-2

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As per op just lethergy and heat intolerance but front legs seem dwarfish compared to the rest of him. 18mths now so probably wont change on meds? Waiting on path. Waiting waiting. Waiting.

At least one form of dwarfism is linked to thyroid misfunction. That's why I asked about thryoid testing in the 'tiny Golden Retriever pup' thread. The breed is noted as experiencing thyroid issues. It was the Golden Retiever folk that brought Jean Dodds to Australia a few years ago.

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I have had 2 dogs with hypothyroid issues - the first symptom in both was irratic/aggressive behaviour that was totally out of character. Some weight gain happened but poor coat/skin conditions did not as we identified and treated the problem.

Is a full thyroid panel being done? Jean Dodds is very specific about correct testing for thyroid function as correct testing procedures are often not followed and incorrect results often result.

Edited by Mags
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Positive test. I am off to pick up his script. Anyone hook me up with a cheap doggy oroxine dealer? *sigh*

Dr Dodds is dowloading to my kindle as I type.

Edited for spellink

Edited by Meea
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As per op just lethergy and heat intolerance but front legs seem dwarfish compared to the rest of him. 18mths now so probably wont change on meds? Waiting on path. Waiting waiting. Waiting.

" Congenital secondary hypothyroidism (associated with disproportionate dwarfism, lethargy, gait abnormalities, and constipation) due to TSH or TRH deficiency has been documented in a family of Giant Schnauzers and in a young Boxer.7 "

http://www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/clerk/bell/index.php

http://www.newmanveterinary.com/Hypothyroid.html helpful info here.

I have had svereal maremmas develop thyroid disease.

H

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Positive test. I am off to pick up his script. Anyone hook me up with a cheap doggy oroxine dealer? *sigh*

Dr Dodds is dowloading to my kindle as I type.

Edited for spellink

Try your chemist we could get the oroxine much cheaper than from the vet. And our vet was happy to write scripts for us.

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Tks DBS! I hv read EVERYthing. That mostly referrs to real dwarfism. Did you notice any slight skeletal changes in yours. Did the effected one look physically different to their siblings?

Co-incidentally met a true dwarf gsd today. Funny how things like this cluster. Never even heard of this a few days ago.

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Thyroid issues don't always affect appearance though changes to coat and behaviour can be indicators there is something going on. Though this is for situations where thyroid issues emerge later after the dog has finished growing. This type tends to be the more common. Early onset issues with thyroid is different and I must admit I dont know much about that outside the context of cases associated with dwarfism. A search does pull up information on congenital and juvenile hypothyroidism however, including the following:

http://www.showdog-magazine.com/medical/thyroid.htm

http://ivis.org/journals/vetfocus/21_1/en/1.pdf

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