Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  3. Thyroid issues.

Thyroid issues.

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • A

    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.

    0
  • tanzaT

    @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.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • A

    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.

    0
  • DebraDownSouthD

    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.

    Debra

    0
  • tanzaT

    @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....

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0

Suggested Topics

  • R

    Weight issue

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    730 Views
    tanzaT
    @Rebel - Full blood workup including full Thyroid panel (full panel no just what the normal vet workup that is not a full thyroid panel)... as they say make sure that he is in good health. Also what are you feeding him? How much total are you feeding a day? Also with reducing food, add veggies to his food to fill his belly... green beans are good to use... I use Cauliflower and Broccoli... Note also that low normal is typically too low for Basenjis.
  • R

    Eating Issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    5k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    The FDA can only do what the laws allow and if the govt is controlled by lobbyist, well.... But this isn't the place for politics so I'll leave it at that. I am very sorry about your horse. :( With meat.. it's particularly red meat that research is linking to cancer... early research shows amount is a big factor (recommendations from 4 oz a day to max 18 oz a week), but who knows. Processed meat is the worse, and I saw some headline (didn't bother to read since I like my beef shortly after it stops mooing) that well done steaks more carcinogenic. For the world, reducing red meat is good for the environment and health. I was reading a study last week on red meat and joint inflammation. Studies the last 15 years actually only have general connection, but that most do is a pretty good indicator. I had a doctor tell me to stop all red meat and milk when I was a teen and experiencing joint pain. It helped, but back then, no internet and not much access to current research. Here we are 45+ years later, and still no strong proof and some show that reducing carbs with increased LEAN red meat actually decreased inflammation. However, we then get this Science Catch-up. Red Meat And Gut Inflammation: Harvard Study ... https://thehealthsciencesacademy.org/science-catch-up/science-catch-up-28/ Jan 18, 2017 - Red meat and gut inflammation: Harvard study. According this new Harvard study involving 46,500 participants, eating high amounts of red meat daily might be a risk factor for gut inflammation and the development of diverticulitis. << So no one has absolute proof, but my money is on reducing red meat is more likely to be healthier than not. I just don't rule out all meat (ie fish and fowl) as getting enough protein is pretty hard and we don't have enough hard research for ME to go vegetarian. But I'm open to it and glad you are having success.
  • L

    Thyroid test

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    5k Views
    W
    in this order ug/dL ng/dL ng/dL and pg/mL
  • Chealsie508C

    Eye issue

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    71
    0 Votes
    71 Posts
    32k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Pat, yeah, it was many but the specialist from GA (who does CERF btw, or did, could be retired at this point) said all were iris to iris and none should cause her issues. But you can still see them. I am comforted to know that a lot of strands don't pass as I honestly don't remember seeing that limitation, only on placement. Been a long time since I looked at CERF. But the issue was and then, the person LIED. She sent me a puppy for my child, who already had more on her than any child should with my health issues, that she obviously had no clue about– a puppy she had no clue about it's eye health. And then wanted her back if I wasn't going to breed her as she would. Yeah, over my dead body.
  • B

    Issues with legs

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    D
    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
  • barklessk9B

    Kidney Issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    4k Views
    tanzaT
    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.