Every morning you carefully measure your dog’s light formula dog food. If he gets a treat, it’s an ice cube or green bean. When you get home from work, you encourage him to walk with you, despite his lazy demeanor. You walk every day, rain or shine. It’s time for his yearly checkup with Dr. Janelle and she says his weight loss is immeasurable. You feel defeated, and tell Dr. Janelle so much. She suggests the veterinary assistant draws his blood and the laboratory completes a senior health panel. The results come back, and the veterinary assistant calls to tell you he is hypothyroid. What does that mean?
A dog is hypothyroid when his thyroid gland does not produce the appropriate levels of thyroxine (T4) hormone or triiodothyronine (T3) hormone. You hadn’t given much thought to how lazy your dog is, how he is always burrowing under the blankets or his dull coat with dandruff. It turns out, all of these symptoms point to a hypothyroid diagnosis. The good news is hypothyroidism is easily treated with a twice a day prescription. Once your dog’s thyroid levels have been stabilized his blood work is screened every 6-12 months at his normal annual or semi annual check ups. You’re pleased to see the positive changes in your dog after beginning treatment.
Now that your first dog has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism you’re looking a little more closely at his companion. She is also older, overweight, slow to rise and her coat isn’t as beautiful as it once was. You make an appointment with Dr. Janelle, sure she will also be diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Dr. Janelle performs a complete physical exam and the assistant draws blood for a senior health panel to be sent to the laboratory. Dr. Janelle notices the way your dog walks. She suggests you pick up a bag of the veterinary exclusive joint supplement for your dog when you check out. She mentions your dog also needs a prescription anti-inflammatory medication but before selecting the medication she wants to analyze your dog’s blood work results. When the results come back from her blood work you are surprised to hear that your dog does not have hypothyroidism. The veterinary assistant reported all her internal values are within normal limits and she is ready to start medication.
Your old lady is a puppy all over again! She responded quickly to the anti-inflammatory medication and joint supplement, after some time was able to reduce her dose. She is much more likely to join you and her brother on long walks. You notice she looks slimmer and at her next appointment she has lost weight! Most importantly she is happier than she was before and her quality of life has improved.
Dogs, like humans, can have barriers when it comes to weight loss. Although we love puppy visits, nothing is more rewarding than giving a trusted companion a new lease on life. Call today to schedule a comprehensive exam for your pet, Dr. Janelle would love to give you the tools to improve their quality of life and increase their longevity.