Thyroid issues?

[Labradorks]

My quick trip to the vet for vaccines and yearlies ended up being a $500 bill...sigh. However, fingers crossed we may finally get to the bottom of Sam's awful coat!

I've tried raw, fish oil, coconut oil, kibble, allergy pills, flea meds...and over the past six months or so, Sam's coat went from thick and shiny like a black bear to gross. It's hard, short, thin, both dry and oily at the same time and his trunk is starting to thin quite a bit. He itches on his sides and is always shedding. It's not what I'd call severe. Most people wouldn't notice it, but I have seen the changes. He also tends to be fat and it's taken me a couple years to get him down to a good weight, though I feel like he lost too much muscle. So, I kinda knew deep down that she would suggest a thyroid panel, and she did.

I should know more in a few days. If it's not thyroid she is sending me to a dermatologist.

Linus saw the vet, too, and his water drinking, as of today, seems to have slowed down. On the outside, the vet sees no signs of anything sinister and suspects that this will go away after once this round of antibiotics is finished. If not, we'll check his kidney function. He had a full workup for his neuter in July and all was well. Linus is also down in weight to 81 lbs! He has been as heavy as 96, but it was too much. He could do with more muscle, but since we stopped field work for the season, it makes sense that he's not as buff at the moment.

[JenC]

sounds like Thyroid to me. Make sure they do the full test vs. just the quickie (I don't know the right names...). Grizz had a weight issue, his coat did not feel nice (plus he had a littermate diagnosed with a thyroid issue). His TSH level was really high even though his regular thyroid number was low/normal.

[Labradorks]

sounds like Thyroid to me. Make sure they do the full test vs. just the quickie (I don't know the right names...). Grizz had a weight issue, his coat did not feel nice (plus he had a littermate diagnosed with a thyroid issue). His TSH level was really high even though his regular thyroid number was low/normal.

Yeah, it's the big one. The king of all thyroid tests.

[Annette47]

Scully had thyroid issues ... she was low/normal but showing symptoms (lethargy, unexplained weight gain and thinning hair) so the vet suggested supplementing her even if technically her levels were still “normal”. We did and her symptoms improved immensely. I think she was around 3 at the time? If you end up going that route, it’s not a big deal but you do need to get the levels checked regularly to make sure it’s the correct dosage.

[Labradorks]

Scully had thyroid issues ... she was low/normal but showing symptoms (lethargy, unexplained weight gain and thinning hair) so the vet suggested supplementing her even if technically her levels were still “normal”. We did and her symptoms improved immensely. I think she was around 3 at the time? If you end up going that route, it’s not a big deal but you do need to get the levels checked regularly to make sure it’s the correct dosage.

Would he have to get the same test? Or is there a simpler test they take for check-ups?

[Snowshoe]

For me, personally, we do the full test each time. I think it would be good to specify each time though.

[Annette47]

Would he have to get the same test? Or is there a simpler test they take for check-ups?

It’s been a while as she’s been gone 4.5 years, but I think it was a simpler test.

[JenC]

Would he have to get the same test? Or is there a simpler test they take for check-ups?

We didn't. We just did what I think is called the T4 test. His levels got more in the middle of normal on .7 mg 2x a day so we kept him on that. We'll probably re-test in a year...which would be this coming Spring.

[POPTOP]

Not had to deal with a thyroid issue. Wanted to send along good thoughts.

[stella3]

I think I might request a check next week when I take my dog in for his check up. He coat was always so shiny and thick and it's been thinning out. This "shedding" isn't normal for him. He's also very dandruffy. I did change food recently but I can't imagine it made his coat go downhill so quickly. I'll check back in when I get results!