Anyone got a dog with thyroid problem?

toby_puppy

Hi

I noticed my dog had been developing a bald spot across the bridge of his nose which I had put down to the headcollar he wears.

However, thinking on, he has worn the same headcollar for 4 years and this hasn't happened. Then I noticed the fur on his back had dramatically thinned and felt very coarse. Also had scurfy skin lying on top of coat.

He is a 6 year old rescue GSD cross rottie who had a beautiful thick lush coat before and it used to take ages to lift his hair up to apply the flea treatments but now it's half the thickness.

Took him to vets last night and they felt his fur and immediately said looks like a thyroid problem so they have sent off for a blood test. They said that the bald patch on his nose is probably due to the hair not being replaced quickly enough but it will grow back if he gets treated.

Does anyone else have a dog with this problem? Am assuming the pet insurance will help fund the cost of medication?

Are there any other things I can get for him that will make him more comfortable. I put his coat on him for this mornings walk because I don't think he's got much fur to keep him warm.

Don't get results til Monday morning so not trying to jump the gun here, but it's looking likely that's what it is.

I'd also booked a haircut for him for tomorrow (booked a few weeks ago before I noticed anything wrong). I think I will still take him for a moisturising shampoo and trim rather than a clip, I thought it might make him feel better?

getthemax

My Border Collie was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) when he was about two years old. He was always on the stocky side although we were very careful with what we gave him, had a dull coat with scurf, and his coat was also quite coarse. He never exhibited any lethargy (well is he a Border Collie!), which I believe can also be one of the symptoms with an underactive thyroid.

After the blood tests he was put on daily thyroxine tablets and has been on them ever since (he's now 12). The change in his weight and coat was pretty dramatic and happened quite quickly and he soon was looking the picture of health.

IIRC he had to have a few blood tests to get the dosage level right, and has recently been put on half of the original dosage because the latest tests we've had have shown his thyroid levels were elevated.

Don't worry about it if your mutt has to go on long term medication, my boy's done fine and apart from recently being diagnosed with kidney disease has never had any side effects or health problems to speak of.

I don't have pet insurance, but I expect that your insurance company would pay for the tablets which aren't particularly expensive.

toby_puppy

Hello, thank you for the reassuring reply.

For the first time yesterday when I brushed him, the brush just sort of glided over him, usually with his thick hair it's quite a task and there's a lot of hair on the brush afterwards, so it was quite sad yesterday when there was no hair on the brush!

Fortunately he doesn't appear to have gained weight, I have to be careful as he's got severe hip dysplasia but over the past few weeks he has seemed a lot hungrier - sometimes, sitting by his food bowl looking at me with puppy dog eyes.

Also, like yourself, I have not noticed any change in his energy levels - he seems bright enough and enjoys his walks and playing at home.

At least as you say, it's treatable and good to hear that the coat will restore to it's former glory!

Thanks again, I will let you know how it goes on Monday.

Sending your boy a hug too

getthemax

My lad said thanks for the hug

I'm sure your vet will sort it out and good luck on Monday when you get the blood test result whatever the diagnosis.

Mrs_Z

Hi, we have a cat with an overactive thyroid. It's kept in check with medication (one tablet daily), that'll be for the rest of her life. Costs £35 for 100 pills, so works out about £10 pcm. Has helped the cat's coat and she's managed to put on some weight.

chris_n_tj

First of all dont panic. Secondly be warned it can take ages to get the right meds and dose. TJ has an under active Thyroid (has for nearly 3 years) Thining coat, kennel cough, forever starving, begging food. Down in the dumps, sad eyed. These all all signs to look for.

OUr Vet at the time said it was nothing so we changed Vets. It took the new new Vet a couple of weeks to sort him out.

Dont be disheatened if the meds dont work ASAP, I dont want to put a dampener on this but it took nearly 18 months of trial and error to get the meds right. TJ is now on forthyron 200mg. He takes three tablets twice daily. We did try the once a day stuff but it wasnt helping.

We use Pet Plan and they are great, they even pay our Vet direct so we dont have to pay upfront anymore.


Have you noticed weight gain as well as thinning coat? Thats what i find the hardest, he is always starving bless him. We fill him up with veg (Vets agree) There is nothing worse than a empty tummy lol.

Stick with it, once the meds are on track you will see a vast improvement. It might take time, just stick in there.

At the beginning we were going for blood work every week, then once a month. Now we are on 6 monthly.

TJ`s coat is slowly growing back, He had a bald underbelly for years bless him, he now has a fine covering of hair on his tummy.

We have got his weight down, and he looks well. He does seem to pick up anything thats going though.

Do you leave his collar on at all times? if you do try taking it off when he is indoors, it will stop it rubbing his coat. TJ wears a coat on cold days, I have a lady who knits me then made to measure so i stock up.

I could go on and on sorry, I just want to try and make sure you have a full idea so you wont worry as much. It was just a quick learning curve for us as we didnt know anyone with this.

Please feel free to PM me if I can help in any way. xx

Frugalista

I also have a dog with hypothyroidism. His condition manifested itself in some extremely odd behavioural problems - my vet didn't diagnose it, I did after reading some lecture notes from a symposium by Dr Jean Dodds (world renowned expert on thyroid problems). My vet was not convinced but went along with me when I insisted on sending my dogs bloods to Dr Dodds in America. He even got a letter back from her complimenting him on an excellent diagnosis!!!

There are a whole range of symptoms (see the Hemopet site), not just the weight gain/thinning coat scenario - my dog is a coated breed and, as I show him, his coat condition and body weight are extremely important. He gained his Champion title (and a group placement) after being diagnosed - so the condition is manageable.

Personally, I don't find that the UK blood tests are "in-depth" enough and suggest you contact Dr Dodds at http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/HEMOPET.HTM - be prepared for your vet to pooh-pooh the idea though .

Good luck.

Frugalista

Just wondering if the OP got the results of the bloodtest today??