Dixie_Girl Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 I got the call today. She was given the full thyroid panel. Her T-4 level was 0.3. Normal is 1.0-4.0. I will go pick up her meds tomorrow. I am really excited about this turn of events. And very hopeful this will be just the thing to get her well! I am so glad to have gotten the good advice and the good sense to listen to it! I did some reading on hypothyroidism and it sounds like it may be her main prob. One thing I read that I had not heard, was that it can cause loss of concentration. Or, inability to focus. Well, how can a dog learn anything if they can't concentrate? It just really explains all her other little "quirks"! So, I didn't ask, but will when I go to get meds, I don't know how long before the meds and her spay(lack of hormones) will start making a difference, but am hoping I will see a drastic difference in her. I've always said, when she is being good, she is such a loving little girl. Keep the MOJO coming! I have high hopes for this little girl now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiga's_mom Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Great news Linda! Sending lots more good vibes your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aljones Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 That's very encouraging to discover that Holly may well have a physical reason for her, um, "challenging" behavior. She is very lucky she found her way to you, Linda, so that she has someone in her corner helping her get better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samantha J Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 That sounds really postitive news. I am so pleased for you and for Holly. I haven't commented before but i have been reading her story and hoping something comes up to explain her behaviour and is treatable. Good luck, i hope the meds and the spay work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OffTopic Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 WooHoo! She's sick! That's great news, Linda. Hopefully the meds will make a huge difference and you can feel confident in trying to find this girl a great new forever home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancy Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 I don't know about dogs, but I know that my meds for hypothyroidism started kicking in on the mental stuff within days. Then again, you can't ask the pup about depression or suicidal thoughts, can you. You can just see how she behaves. And the benefits were incremental. So give the pup time. BTW, the drooping eyelids weren't much later, but the peeling nails took longer. The thyroid controls about everything in the body. I'm glad the vet checks the T4. For humans, they start with the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) which is higher when your body isn't producing enough T4. However, what your body really needs is T3. So, if Holly doesn't seem to be responding, have the vet check the T3. I have to take synthetic T3 because, even when my body has tons of T4, it doesn't convert it to the necessary T3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoresDog Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 I'm so glad to hear that there is something concrete that you can change to give her a better chance! We'll be sending all our best wishes your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyrasmom Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 I'm glad you stuck with it! You'll see a big improvement with the meds, the only thing I will caution you about are any learned behaviors. For example, you may have to work through what are some of her triggers, if she has any, because while some of the aggression is instinctive, she has also in the interim learned to be reactive at certain things. But you'll see a completely different dog in a month or so! And even learned behaviors will lessen as she is able to focus better and not simply react. Maria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 It's good that you have at least one known problem, which could be contributing to the 'quirks'. In any event, she'll certainly feel better in herself when the thyroid meds kick in - for general purposes, they say there's about a fortnight lead time, so don't be too disappointed if you don't see anything straight away. Keep in mind that the mornal range is just that - a range, and as I said about my old bitch, some dogs (and people for all I know) seem to have a metabolism which requires them to be operating at the higher end of normal. Fingers crossed that Holly starts to respond really well to her meds, and can really start to learn what you want her to learn. She really is a super lucky dog to have found you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSmitty Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 I'm glad to hear you got a definite diagnosis and hopefully the meds will help! Still sending lots of good vibes to Holly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrisK Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 WELL, I never would have thought I'd be happy to hear a dog is sick...BUT in this case, I am I sure hope that the medication turns her around....WAY TO GO LINDA!!! THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for sticking with her. Tons and tons of mojo coming your way Give that girl a scruffle for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc friend Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 WELL, I never would have thought I'd be happy to hear a dog is sick...BUT in this case, I am I sure hope that the medication turns her around....WAY TO GO LINDA!!! THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for sticking with her. Tons and tons of mojo coming your way Give that girl a scruffle for me That goes for me too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WyoBC Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 That's great to hear! I hope you can help her more now. I know you would do anything to help any of your dogs. I hope she does better now. Let me know how she does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca, Irena Farm Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Well, in a weird sort of way, that's fantastic! Ben is "low normal" and still has what I call episodes of paranoia, and "brain fog." So, no wonder she's a grumpy girl. Ben on meds is completely different, requiring no training at all. It's like a switch being thrown. Let's hope for the same thing for Holly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustopherJones Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 it can cause loss of concentration. Or, inability to focus. Interesting. My wife accuses me of this sometimes, but I don't think that I...Oh, look, a bunny rabbit!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Good news Linda. I hope the thyroid meds help set her on the right track in the rest of her world. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyrasmom Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 I agree with Barb and wanted to make this point. You may need a few additional tests before you find the dosage she comfortable at AND the normal range for a dog on supplementation is going to be higher than that of a healthy dog. So, a little trial and error but you should see results! Cooper does best on the very high end of normal for supplementation. Let us know! Maria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustopherJones Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 ..a little trial and error... More like "trial and terror"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet_ceana Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Great news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryP Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Good news about Holly. Hopefully she will be a changed dog on the meds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyrasmom Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 More like "trial and terror"... YUP!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizmo Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 I haven't replied to any previous threads about her either, but have watched them. I'm SO glad you may have found the problem. I hope this fixes it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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