Menopause vs Basenjis - PLEASE READ my story! This is very important!

[SyberSade]

Here's a pic of my sweet, handsome Prince as we got him….....and one after nearly two years of exposure :(

How sad is this????!!!!!!!

[Quercus]

That is really interesting…it looks totally like a thyroid condition, but that makes sense..since thyroid, reproductive hormones and metabolic issues are all connected. I wonder if the AVMA has sent out a bulletin or something about this to their members...seems like it might be a good idea, so they can catch it right away...

[eeeefarm]

Hormones are very powerful, and can have dramatic effects. Your story doesn't surprise me, only that it took so long for an experienced vet to nail the diagnosis. When more than one dog is involved, look for something in the environment for sure. I'm surprised it took so long for someone to do a thorough look at blood work and discover the abnormality. Glad you have found the answer, and thank you for posting it as a heads up for others.

[SyberSade]

@Quercus:

That is really interesting…it looks totally like a thyroid condition, but that makes sense..since thyroid, reproductive hormones and metabolic issues are all connected. I wonder if the AVMA has sent out a bulletin or something about this to their members...seems like it might be a good idea, so they can catch it right away...

I agree. I will be reporting it to the FDA and the specialty vet is working on a report for a vet convention in Canada, too. I'm going to tell anyone who'll listen! ;)

[nobarkus]

Sadie,
I would hurt to send blood samples to Dr Dodds or OFA for a full thyroid check. Most vets cannot perform the more complete test.

[SyberSade]

@nobarkus:

Sadie,
It wouldn't hurt to send blood samples to Dr Dodds or OFA for a full thyroid check. Most vets cannot perform the more complete test.

Hi Dan,
Who is Dr Dodds and the OFA? (color me BLOND! teehee)
Sadie

[nobarkus]

Dr Dodds does the more extensive thyroid test in S. CA at the lab, Hemopet
http://www.hemopet.org/

OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) does the Fanconi DNA testing we all get and they will help you with the thyroid test too. They have a list of approved labs.
http://www.offa.org/thy_labs.html

You would need to get the blood drawn and shipped from your local vet to either of these labs. They provide complete instructions for you and the vet on what to do.

[Quercus]

@nobarkus:

Sadie,
I would hurt to send blood samples to Dr Dodds or OFA for a full thyroid check. Most vets cannot perform the more complete test.

I agree; if nothing else, I am sure Dr. Dodds would love to learn more about this phenomenon

[MacPack]

Maybe vets, like human docs, start along one diagnosis track and are so focused they don't think outside the box. In retrospect, all that you say, eeeefarm, makes perfect sense! Especially both dogs being involved. Note to vets, bald dogs belonging to 40-ish females: check hormone levels!

So goad you have an answer at last, hopefully they will be furry little critters soon!

[tanza]

Very interesting and does make perfect sense… I am glad now that I went through menopause "naked".. so to speak. However it was not fun....:(

[SyberSade]

Thank you everyone…......especially Anne "my new best friend" in Tampa who suggested that I might only be 40-ish!!! :) hehe

[agilebasenji]

WOW - thanks for sharing. I wonder about people babysitting small children, does it rub off on them? I'm guessing it rubbed off on the dogs, or were they licking you?

[eeeefarm]

Just for interest sake, I ran the scenario by my niece, who is a vet. She knew about the connection…...and would have nailed it. Nice to know she is on top of things like this.

[CongoMama]

Topical human hormones and animals was mentioned in this

thread

Hope I did this right.

[nobarkus]

Read this article.
http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=15950

[SyberSade]

@nobarkus:

Read this article.
http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=15950

I read this one earlier today, Dan. Scary, huh?!

[SyberSade]

@eeeefarm:

Just for interest sake, I ran the scenario by my niece, who is a vet. She knew about the connection…...and would have nailed it. Nice to know she is on top of things like this.

GOOD FOR HER!!! Wish she'd been my vet!

[SyberSade]

@agilebasenji:

WOW - thanks for sharing. I wonder about people babysitting small children, does it rub off on them? I'm guessing it rubbed off on the dogs, or were they licking you?

In the articles I've read so far it CAN affect children. I'm still trying to find out if it can affect other adults….like my husband!
And, yes, it must have rubbed off on my dogs.....because they do not lick my arms. I pick Haley up twice a day to give her pills because she has Fanconi. I do not pick Prince up, but I've noticed that when I lay on the bed to pet him I am touching him with my forearms and hands. The specialty vet and articles that I've read site dogs licking the area though. That's definitely not the case with my dogs.

P.S. I rarely wear anything with sleeves since I live in Mesa, Arizona.....my arms are almost always exposed!

[SyberSade]

Did you all get a chance to look at the pics I posted earlier of Haley and Prince? Pretty dramatic, huh?!

Since I'm around them practically 24/7 I don't always consciously SEE how bad the fur loss is…..........but when I look at them in pictures, I get really upset!!!

[SyberSade]

@CongoMama:

Topical human hormones and animals was mentioned in this

thread

Hope I did this right.

Interesting thread, CongoMama! I doesn't say if she ever figured out her puppy's problem or what it was. Even though the post is over a year old, I still sent her a message about it. Hope I hear back from her! Thanks!