Sometimes a stich in nine ……

From The Planet Paws Essentials Facebook Group
Pawsians, our friends at Fetch Inc. and Paws4Health are hosting their annual Thyroid Profile Blood Clinic. The results are sent & tested by highly respected health Vet guru Dr. Jean Dodds, author of The Canine Thyroid Epidemic.

Dr. Jean D…odds started Hemopet’s non-profit animal blood bank and greyhound rescue/adoption program in 1986. Today, Hemopet offers the most advanced canine thyroid testing in the world. The quality, patented technology, service and consultation is used worldwide to benefit dogs with canine thyroid disease.
Hypothyroidism causes a wide variety of symptoms, but is often suspected in dogs that have trouble with weight gain or obesity and suffer from hair loss and skin problems.
It is common for pets with hypothyroidism to gain weight while only eating moderately. These dogs have been described as “easy keepers” because they gain weight so easily.
That does not mean that most overweight dogs have thyroid disease – they are just eating too much, eating too rich a diet and get too little exercise. Many owners are oblivious to weight gain in their pets. But when an animal’s backs become flattened instead of curved and they huff and puff with every exertion some owners bring them in for a check up.
Other symptoms include –

• Mental dullness
• Lethargy; listlessness
• Exercise intolerance
• Reluctance to engage in normal activities
• Intolerance to cold (“heat-seeking” behavior)
• Weight gain, without increased appetite or food consumption
• Symmetrical hair loss (alopecia), without itchiness (bilaterally symmetric, nonpruitic truncal alopecia; the head and legs are often spared)
• Excessive shedding
• Greasy skin; flaky skin (seborrhea)
• Dandruff
• Pimples or other pustules on the skin (pyoderma)
• Chronic ear infections (otitis)
•  
• Skin thickening, especially on the face and forehead (myxedema), giving a puffy appearance referred to as a “tragic facial expression”

The dog’s neuromuscular, reproductive, cardiovascular and/or gastrointestinal systems may be affected as well, causing one or more of the following symptoms:

• Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Incoordination (ataxia)
• Seizures
• Heart arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms)
• Anemia
• Infertility
• Decreased libido (reduced sex drive)
• Abortion
• Testicular atrophy

Only 20 samples can be sent and tested each year, so this is first registered first served basis! There are around 12 more spots available.

To put this into perspective, seven years ago, when I first had my little mini schnauzer tested for thyroid, the test had to be sent away to PEI.  At the time, the tally for the initial test came to eighty-five dollars plus tax.  Admittedly, that included the courier cost  … but at the end of the day it was still a sum out of reach of some of their clients.

After the initial tests there were two more to ensure that the right balance had been reached with her meds.

In a world where costs continue to go up , not down, this clinic is a very good buy!

What did balancing Chloe’s thyroid do?   It was better than any beauty makeover the what not to wear people could ever produce!  There was more spring in her step!   At her next grooming session, Chloe’s groomer could already tell the difference in her skin and her coat!

In short, because dogs are hardwired NOT to complain, we had no idea of how much the thyroid was affecting her until it was back in balance!

What time is it?  If anyone is concerned about this issue … this is a splendid time to take advantage of this incredible opportunity!