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Thyroid issues.

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • I took my basenji to a vet opthamologist who did several tests. The HORNERS SYNDROME is caused by unknown reasons or thyroid shortage. I am choosing not to have more expensive tests and to put her on synthroid but try to treat her with diet and supplements. My sister recommended coconut oil and kelp. Sounds reasonable. Wondering if there are other things I can try. Iodine drops? She is not uncomfortable with the third eyelid issue and I just can't see going through all the tests they offered to do. The doctor was wonderful and very understanding of my position. Thanjs fir your help.

  • @Abaihya said in Thyroid issues.:

    I took my basenji to a vet opthamologist who did several tests. The HORNERS SYNDROME is caused by unknown reasons or thyroid shortage. I am choosing not to have more expensive tests and to put her on synthroid but try to treat her with diet and supplements. My sister recommended coconut oil and kelp. Sounds reasonable. Wondering if there are other things I can try. Iodine drops? She is not uncomfortable with the third eyelid issue and I just can't see going through all the tests they offered to do. The doctor was wonderful and very understanding of my position. Thanjs fir your help.

    Have you had the thyroid tested? Before treating, I would suggest that a full thyroid panel is done.... I would not just "home treat" as you could make it worse... Thyroid panel is just a blood test.

  • Thanks for you input. She has several observable low thyroid symptoms, skin turning dark, heat seeking, shedding. The vet wanted $500 for the blood test and a chest x-ray, continously monitoring if they put her on synthroid. This just isn't a possibility. That's why I want to try a natural remedy first. I sure don't want to make anything worse for her. Just need to try something.

  • Why would you need a chest x-ray? A blood test for thyroid, full panel, is not very expensive (I get mine done for well under $100!).

    Natural remedies for thyroid can be dangerous or simply totally ineffective. Thyroid medicine is CHEAP. Please, get a thyroid panel run and the right Rx.

  • @Abaihya think you need a new Vet, no way should the Thyroid blood test be that price.... They draw the blood and it is sent out....

5/5

10 May 2016, 14:49

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    How old is your dog? I would take her to a specialty clinic or university clinic that would have both a neurologist and an orthopedist. My 1 year old deaf rescue girl who is a herding/spitz mix has shuffling feet, tremors, and other problems. She was seen first by the neurologist and they suggested x-rays and more testing. My regular vet did take x-rays of the neck, back and hips. I took her to an orthopedist to review the x-rays. Since she was a stray they do not know what caused the problem but it was suggested distemper or perhaps another infectious disease. I just took her to an opthalmologist and her eyes are good but she does have sensitivity to light. Distemper almost always causes eye problems. The specialists are suggesting an MRI of the back, neck and a spinal tap for her. If your dog was adopted as a puppy or an older pup, I would check with the Humane Society to see if she may have had distemper or some other disease. Did she have an accident where she might have injured her back or neck? You might want to look into getting a doggy wheelchair since she has good movement in her front legs. I am sorry for the problems your girl is having and I hope you find out what is causing it. Jennifer
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    You know, at his age (and in my opinion) any elder dog, the goal is to get them to eat and keep them eating… so I don't stress out about kcal's too much particularly since I use Vit Supplements.
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    This could possibly be a minor epileptic attack. I have seen a video of many forms of these attacks (no basenjis) many of them very different and this was an example. A canine neurologist could confirm.
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    @ramseyclea: I didn't know incontinence was one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. So, I'm kind of glad to hear that. I know the weight gain and low energy level are definitely symptoms (I suffer from hypothyroidism myself). I will tell the vet to do the ful panel. Thanks for all the advice! This is such a great resource! There are many things that can be a result of low thyroid…. maybe not directly connected, but a off shoot of the condition. My OJ was loaded with hives... and regardless of what we gave him they would come back over and over... finally tested his thyroid and it was very, very low... put him on Soloxine and never another hive.... so while hives is not generally a symtom of low thyroid, the fact that it lowered immunities in other respects, hives popped up.... Not saying this is the cause... but again her age is pretty young for this problem, IMO. So best to rule out other things before moving on to hormones... and again I would still not rule out a UTI