Thyroid disease in senior basset

giantlover · 07-03-2006, 07:50 AM

My 9 yr old Basset, Daisy, has recently been diagnosed with hypothyroid. She underwent a spinal disc surgery two years ago and I thought her slowing down and fatigue was a combination of old age and loss of mobility. When I took her in to the office for shots, I was stunned to see she had put on 20 lbs in a year. From 42 to 61 Lbs!, all in her belly. She is a rare hound in that she is completely unmotivated by food, and does not eat much. My question is, now that we have her on meds, will she lose this belly fat, or will I have to place her on diet food? I have 4 other dogs, so giving her a special diet, while doable, won't be easy. Any one else out there with a low thyroid basset?

Spiritus · 07-03-2006, 08:48 AM

Not a Basset, but I do have a hypothyroid Belgian. He gained 12 pounds in a MONTH. After his diagnosis and getting his medication, he lost it in another month. We also increased his exercise level. I did not reduce his food as we wanted to know if the medication was doing it's job.

I would try just the medication and an increase in exercise first, and if that doesn't help, then talk to your vet about diet. Between the three of us in this family, we have 9 dogs, and three different foods. It does work, and it's not difficult at all.

giantlover · 07-03-2006, 04:50 PM

I have already noticed an increase in her activity level. Before she rarely got up for the day before 10. Now she is raring to go when I get up at 5:30.

Spiritus · 07-03-2006, 09:31 PM

It's amazing how quickly the medication works. Is she on thyroxine?

giantlover · 07-04-2006, 05:20 AM

yes, .6mg twice daily. The brown oily spots on her belly is starting to clear, (we are bathing her with pyroderm (sp?) shampoo and she is starting to smell better. Her ears are the best they have ever looked. She is starting to look more alert, too, not so spacey.

Shadowkins · 07-04-2006, 05:24 AM

My cocker has hypothyroid too and the meds have done wonders. All his infections have cleared up and he has lost 6 lbs so far. I too, would not change your boy's diet quite yet...give the meds a chance...with the increased energy and activity your dog will have he should lose the weight he gained.

giantlover · 07-04-2006, 02:16 PM

How long has your cocker been on meds?

Shadowkins · 07-04-2006, 07:04 PM

About 3-4 months now, if my memory serves me well. It took a little time but before too long his energy was back to normal and his coat improved immensely. Hope your dog has the same outcome. Good Luck!

Spiritus · 07-05-2006, 09:58 AM

Right now my boy is off his meds. He was neutered a few weeks ago, and often-times when the testosterone decreases, the tyroid balances out. He gets retested soon to check that thyroid and see how it's doing. I am hopeful that he won't need to go back on the thyroxine, but if he does, that's okay too.

GoldenPup · 07-05-2006, 11:07 AM

I'm very interested in this...if any of you have any good sources of information, please share!

GoldenPup

Shadowkins · 07-06-2006, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenPup

I'm very interested in this...if any of you have any good sources of information, please share!

GoldenPup

Here are a few sites to look at:
http://search.netscape.com/ns/boomfr...yroiddogs.html
http://search.netscape.com/ns/boomfr...ypothyroid.htm
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Con...?P=A&A=461&S=1
Hope this helps.

07-03-2006, 07:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
giantlover Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: iowa Posts: 49 Rep Power: 0	Thyroid disease in senior basset My 9 yr old Basset, Daisy, has recently been diagnosed with hypothyroid. She underwent a spinal disc surgery two years ago and I thought her slowing down and fatigue was a combination of old age and loss of mobility. When I took her in to the office for shots, I was stunned to see she had put on 20 lbs in a year. From 42 to 61 Lbs!, all in her belly. She is a rare hound in that she is completely unmotivated by food, and does not eat much. My question is, now that we have her on meds, will she lose this belly fat, or will I have to place her on diet food? I have 4 other dogs, so giving her a special diet, while doable, won't be easy. Any one else out there with a low thyroid basset?

07-03-2006, 08:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
Spiritus Trust the Force... Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 513 Rep Power: 81	Not a Basset, but I do have a hypothyroid Belgian. He gained 12 pounds in a MONTH. After his diagnosis and getting his medication, he lost it in another month. We also increased his exercise level. I did not reduce his food as we wanted to know if the medication was doing it's job. I would try just the medication and an increase in exercise first, and if that doesn't help, then talk to your vet about diet. Between the three of us in this family, we have 9 dogs, and three different foods. It does work, and it's not difficult at all.
	__________________ Spiritus Belgian Shepherds U-CD Can. CH. Shay CD CGN HIC UKC/Can. CH. Trouble, Lexi, Jesse CGN, and youngsters Constantine and Deja .... and coming soon, our Valentine Litter * R.I.P. BOSS CH. Wren, and much loved puppy Tally *

07-03-2006, 09:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
Spiritus Trust the Force... Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 513 Rep Power: 81	It's amazing how quickly the medication works. Is she on thyroxine?
	__________________ Spiritus Belgian Shepherds U-CD Can. CH. Shay CD CGN HIC UKC/Can. CH. Trouble, Lexi, Jesse CGN, and youngsters Constantine and Deja .... and coming soon, our Valentine Litter * R.I.P. BOSS CH. Wren, and much loved puppy Tally *

07-04-2006, 05:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
Shadowkins Shadowkins Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Saskatchewan,Canada Posts: 2,726 Rep Power: 129	My cocker has hypothyroid too and the meds have done wonders. All his infections have cleared up and he has lost 6 lbs so far. I too, would not change your boy's diet quite yet...give the meds a chance...with the increased energy and activity your dog will have he should lose the weight he gained.
	__________________

07-04-2006, 07:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Shadowkins Shadowkins Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Saskatchewan,Canada Posts: 2,726 Rep Power: 129	About 3-4 months now, if my memory serves me well. It took a little time but before too long his energy was back to normal and his coat improved immensely. Hope your dog has the same outcome. Good Luck!
	__________________

07-03-2006, 04:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
giantlover Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: iowa Posts: 49 Rep Power: 0	I have already noticed an increase in her activity level. Before she rarely got up for the day before 10. Now she is raring to go when I get up at 5:30.

07-04-2006, 05:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
giantlover Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: iowa Posts: 49 Rep Power: 0	yes, .6mg twice daily. The brown oily spots on her belly is starting to clear, (we are bathing her with pyroderm (sp?) shampoo and she is starting to smell better. Her ears are the best they have ever looked. She is starting to look more alert, too, not so spacey.

07-04-2006, 02:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
giantlover Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: iowa Posts: 49 Rep Power: 0	How long has your cocker been on meds?

07-05-2006, 09:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
Spiritus Trust the Force... Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 513 Rep Power: 81	Right now my boy is off his meds. He was neutered a few weeks ago, and often-times when the testosterone decreases, the tyroid balances out. He gets retested soon to check that thyroid and see how it's doing. I am hopeful that he won't need to go back on the thyroxine, but if he does, that's okay too.
	__________________ Spiritus Belgian Shepherds U-CD Can. CH. Shay CD CGN HIC UKC/Can. CH. Trouble, Lexi, Jesse CGN, and youngsters Constantine and Deja .... and coming soon, our Valentine Litter * R.I.P. BOSS CH. Wren, and much loved puppy Tally *

07-05-2006, 11:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
GoldenPup Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 137 Rep Power: 56	I'm very interested in this...if any of you have any good sources of information, please share! GoldenPup
GoldenPup Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 137 Rep Power: 56

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