OT - testing thyroid in dogs

[Guest guest]

Val, I have seen you refer to this before and how most vets are as bad

at testing, diagnosing and treating thyroid disorders in pets as docs

are with humans. I had my 12 year old spayed female Whippet tested

for low thyroid, among other things, b/c she has become very heat

sensitive over the past several years and her energy isn't great.

She's 12, so I'm not expecting miracles, but she's in good health and

still pretty peppy for an older dog, at least sometimes, but other

times her energy is very low and she has always had a sensitive GI -

hmm, wonder what the reminds me of.

I got a copy of the labs and all that they seem to have tested is T-4

which was 1.7 <1.0-4.0>. At the bottom it said Free T4 (equilibrium

dialysis) (Pending) with no value. I called back to ask about it and

got attitude from the lady at the desk who I don't like anyway. Can

you refer me to a resource or reference, Yahoo or otherwise?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

I would recommend the book Pets At Risk by Alfred Plechner. It is

usually on Ebay for around $10 and well worht the price. I can't

remember now if it actually has lab interpretations for thyroid but that

seems low to me as I expect T4 to be at leats mid range. But i also

ALWAYS request Free T3, which oyu will never get with animals unless oyu

insist.. sound familiar?

--

Artistic Grooming- Hurricane WV

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

http://www.seewell4less.com/Valspage.htm Medical Alert Bracelets

[Guest guest]

Yes, sounds very familiar. I spoke to my vet and she said that the

reason that the other labs weren't done is that they didn't draw

enough blood. I can take her in tonight and have the blood drawn for

a complete thyroid panel - for another $100 of course. I'll get the

book and read it after I read Peatfield's book which is on my

night-table now. She does much better when it's cool so we have some

time although it was 70 down here in SC yesterday and she was less

peppy on our walk than she has been lately. It would be pretty ironic

if her heat sensitivity and energy issues have been undiagnosed

thyroid the whole time - just like me.

>

> I would recommend the book Pets At Risk by Alfred Plechner. It is

> usually on Ebay for around $10 and well worht the price. I can't

> remember now if it actually has lab interpretations for thyroid but

that

> seems low to me as I expect T4 to be at leats mid range. But i also

> ALWAYS request Free T3, which oyu will never get with animals unless

oyu

> insist.. sound familiar?

[Guest guest]

I have 8 pets three are on thryoid one on pred! And from what I

see in my grooming business of other's pets this si abotu average in

cats and dogs!

--

Artistic Grooming- Hurricane WV

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

[Guest guest]

Hi there! Just wanted to jump in here to say that thyroid meds made a

big difference in my big ol' baby. He is a white german shepherd and

the big baby of his litter. He grew up to be huge but we just assumed

that he was the way he was supposed to be. He spent much of his day

lying around like many dogs.

He went in for a physical when he was about 5 and they said his thyroid

was functioning so poorly that they were surprised he got up most days.

We put him on meds and he quickly went from 150 to 130. They thought

something might be wrong with him but checked his levels and said he

was right where he should be.

He now weighs about 110 (really where this breed should be), he has a

good deal of energy for a big, eight year old pup and seems to feel

good. Best of luck to you with your baby. I'm such a dog nut!!

[Guest guest]

Thanks. I'm going to get the full panel for her and see what it shows.

I'm assuming that Val doesn't have her dogs on Synthroid

>

> Hi there! Just wanted to jump in here to say that thyroid meds made a

> big difference in my big ol' baby.

Best of luck to you with your baby. I'm such a dog nut!!

>