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  1. #1
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    Good news/bad news - Sam

    Got the thyroid test back. He is perfectly normal. Healthy as a horse, she said. Not even one point on the low side that would indicate just trying the thyroid meds.

    She has a feeling it is environmental based on everything I have tried and the fact that it came on so suddenly, so I have a referral to the dermatologist. She suggested I talk to the dermatologist about Apoquel. At this time, at least in this area, only the dermatologist vets have it. Once they start making more, the regular vets will have it. I'm not a fan of medicating like this unless it's the only option.

    To be honest, I was kinda hoping it was his thyroid. Sure would have made things easier.

  2. #2
    House Broken
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    I wouldn't want to medicate like that either unless there was no other way.

    Here's hoping the derm vet might have a fresh perspective and either have other options, or identify an easily fixed problem instead.

    Good luck to you and to Sam.

  3. #3
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    I know what you mean, sometimes you want to hear there is something wrong. But of course you want to hear of an easily fixed one and you might not get that wish.

    You know Oban's story. Atopica is the one he was on, it worked. When he got sick (we think unrelated to the Atopica or to allergy but who knows) he went to home cooked and TCM, then to raw and TCM, then got sick again and to special kibble (Rayne KSP) still TCM and he isn't itchy. His coat is pretty good, not as good as on raw but better on this previous rotation of three kibbles. He does have mild goobery eyes and itchy ears once in a while but very mild. I am paying far more to keep him on the special kibble and TCM than the Atopica cost.

    Did you try Reactine or another such? Reactine helped Oban at first but soon wore off.
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  4. #4
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    Took Bandit to a derm vet for a different problem (ears) and it was worth every penny.

    Sending more good thoughts that this gets worked out and resolved quickly and easily.
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  5. #5
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    hopefully the dermatologist has other options that work

  6. #6
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    Poor guy, it really sucks when they are so itchy. I hope the derm vet is able to set you on the right path. Have you thought about trying a holistic vet and TCM? I know I would exhaust every option to avoid a lifetime of medicine, if at all possible.
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  7. #7
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    I don't know what TCM is? Or Reactine?

    I'm actually thinking of talking to the vet about putting him on thyroid meds to see what happens before going down the derm rabbit hole.

  8. #8
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    TCM - traditional Chinese medicine. I was under the impression once you start thyroid meds you need to give them for the rest of the dogs life. Obviously if that is the case it is not something you can just try and stop if it does not work. I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong and misunderstood! Reactine is another allergy med you can try.
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    Ozzy - 10/2002 - 06/2011 - Rest well my sweet boy. You are forever remembered, forever missed, forever in my heart.

  9. #9
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Maxx&Emma View Post
    TCM - traditional Chinese medicine. I was under the impression once you start thyroid meds you need to give them for the rest of the dogs life. Obviously if that is the case it is not something you can just try and stop if it does not work. I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong and misunderstood! Reactine is another allergy med you can try.
    I commented in the other thread but this is what my Doctor and I did for me. I tested normal but I had symptoms so he said lets try the med for three months. I was concerned I might become dependent on it but it didn't make a bit of difference so I quit, with his blessing. Then, several years later, with full testing, I was out of whack, the meds made a remarkable difference in only one week. Yes, if you really do need the med you need it for life, there's no dietary supplement for thyroid. We need Sundance, she's our thyroid expert. Of course I'm assuming dogs are the same.

    In case it helps anyone, my symptom was just fatigue. You don't necessarily get all the symptoms you read about. It seems to run in the women in my family and all of us just get tired, no weight gain, no hair thinning, just tired.
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  10. #10
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    I am not very knowlegeable in thyroid issues but isn't there some litterature about the results on the typical panel not being great? I think it's in the jean dodds information

    https://my.imatrixbase.com/clients/1...id_Diag_Rx.pdf

    Hemopet - Canine Blood Bank, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Greyhound Rescue :: Thyroid Resources

    https://www.hemopet.org/clients/14145...and_Dosing.pdf

 



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