behaviour explained

Since we have had Doug (8 weeks tomorrow) he has had some "issues". I posted a few weeks ago that I have given him SA. Since then though he has been really uninterested in walks (I posted about this aswell, we thought it could be the weather!) and not eating his breakfast. His skin has also been really dry and he has significant hair loss and he sleeps ALOT. The vet had originally put this down to his SA but now this has been cured the vet wanted to find out what was causing the rest of his symptoms.

This week he had a blood test, skin scrapings and has been given antibiotics. The blood tests are back and Doug has Hypothyroidism

I have Googled this and it explains everything that Doug has and the way he behaves but I have no idea how to help him yet. I'm due back at the vets on Wednesday next week where I think we will be given medication for him to take for the rest of his life but is there anything else we can do or feed him?

The antibiotics seem to be doing something though as he was full of beans yesterday! He wanted to play and was in the garden with his toys until way after 10pm, he is usually curled up in bed well before then

Sorry to hear that Doug has an underactive thyroid but its good news that
you have caught it early. This is very easily treatable with thyroxin which
has to be taken every day for life and he will be right as rain.

I have an underactive thyroid and if animals are treated in the same way,
they start off on a small dose and then have a blood test until the dose
proves correct. Although I would think the dose for a dog would be based
on weight (Glad mine isn't )

Glad that the antibiotics are helping him and that he is picking up.

Aww >< >< for you and Doug, now he can get the help he needs , I'm glad he's feeling well again

Food wise, the best thing you could do would be to switch him to a raw diet. I know that isn't possible for everybody, but please do look into it.

Aww poor Doug, I hope when they get him on his treatment that it doesn't take long to get his levels back to normal Let us know how he gets on

Poor Doug. Good advice from Caryll re: raw diet. Do look into it if you're able. Hope he comes right with his dosages soon and please keep us posted.

I am also pro the the raw diet.

Thank goodness you found out. You could have spent years not knowing. At least you have a starting point now.

I can't really advise anything, but at least you have an answer ><

I hope he continues to feel better ><

Thanks for all your wishes Doug has been good again today, still not eating aswell but he'll get there.

Re raw diet - I am actually against feeding this I feel it has no benefits for them but thank you for the suggestion. I am looking into food that has little or no grain content instead for him. I'll keep you all posted on his progress

KarlyandDoug wrote:Thanks for all your wishes Doug has been good again today, still not eating aswell but he'll get there.

Re raw diet - I am actually against feeding this I feel it has no benefits for them but thank you for the suggestion. I am looking into food that has little or no grain content instead for him. I'll keep you all posted on his progress

A raw diet is the most species appropriate diet you can feed a dog re. a carnivore. It has masses of benefits for them

Sending Doug a massive

I had a Doberman bitch who was very lethargic, tired quickly, and lost hair on her belly and flanks. A blood test showed that she was hypo-thyroid.

She was prescribed thyroxin, and very quickly picked up in terms of energy, the hair grew back, and in quite a short time she was back to what a normal dog should be.

She did have to take her tablet every day for the rest of her life, and yes it was quite expensive, but worth it as she became a normal dog.

Best wishes to Doug ><