melbrod

My dog (red with blue daddy) is having hair loss problems (on back, sides, neck underside and chest, with itching, scratching, bumps and redness) at about 2 1/4 yrs. He had some thyroid testing done a few months ago (before I noticed the problem) and the values fell into the low normal range. I'm wondering how quickly a thyroid level can drop into the abnormal range and if testing should be repeated?

We've mostly been looking into allergy possibility (food elimination diet--fish and potato with extra oils added), and treating dry skin and dandruff (seborrheic, antibacterial shampoo, oatmeal conditioner).

I know there are lots of threads about skin, but I haven't seen the answer to my thyroid question. I welcome any comments!!

vonHILT

My answer my not help, but here goes. It isn't that expensive, so I say do it every 6 months to a year or sooner if the levels are low normal. My 10 year old dobe is at low normal right now and I will keep a close eye on it. Could the skin problems be autoimmune???? I think there are tests for that too. Hope I helped.

Luvbirds59

Have him checked for Stapf infection too. This is what I found on the net and saved to give to my vet for Petey's 2 year old check up. Maybe it will help you. You need to be sure your vet is running a complete panel. My boys sire is at the low end of normal...and I suspect his mom is too, so I will be testing annually after Petey is 2.


Testing for Thyroid Disease
The only way to know your dog's true thyroid function is to have a complete panel run by a qualified lab (Michigan State, Antech, Guelph). These labs test for levels of T4, T3, TSH, Free T4 and Free T3. Most veterinary in house testing is only for T4, and this is not an adequate indicator of thyroid function. Testing should be done annually, as the disease can come on later in life.

Carol & Petey!
ox

__________________
~*LIVE~LOVE~LAUGH*~

~LET THE PEACE OF THE WILDERNESS BE WITH YOU~

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.
Henry David Thoreau, From "Walden

katekev04

My red Dobie has "low normal thyroid" and is tested every six months. He also gets "bumps" on his neck and loses hair down his back. I have noticed that the hair loss clears up in the summer. I just saw the vet last week and he said that hair loss down the back is often related to food, but this is not the case with my dobie. We're having a high pollen count right now and have noticed the bumps on his neck, he's also sneezing like crazy and has tons of eye goop. I have him on tavist (clemastine) and they disappeared. I have to agree with LuvBirds, you need a complete thyroid panel exam done-that goes also for humans! Too many doctors neglect the T3 test which I can't figure out why. My dobie has low-normal thyroid. My vet wants him on the high range of the scale which I have to agree for both dogs and humans regardless of age. When looking at these test, one must ask themselves the question, it may be normal but is it optimal?