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How to tell if ur hound has a thyriod problem

Just wondering. My hound she stays fairly heavy but never seems to eat much. I heard it could be a thyroid problem but not sure. She also sometimes seems to have trouble breathing. Thanks for any advice.

I have the same problem..

Free t4 test is the only way!!!!

thyriod

What do u mean by free test?

Not "free" as in cost but the test measures the amount of free thyroxine levels in the bloodstream. Same as testosterone testing. If the free t4 levels are abnormal then the vet may check the "bound" t4 levels.

Ask your Vet to do a T3/T4 level or to run a thyroid profile. He will know what you are talking about. The cost of the test should be about $30-$50 plus the office visit. A hounds thyroid level needs to be at the very high end of "normal" when being hunted. Meds can make a world of difference if that is the problem.

thyroid issues

most small vets do limited thyroid panels, so if you want thorough info, they will have to send outblood samples to bigger laboratories.
The leading expert veterinary laboratory for thyroid tests was founded by Dr. Jean Dodds. She has some eccentric ideas about vaccines, though. See
http://www.hemopet.org/
for details, She's written a book with more details than you may care for available here;
http://www.mayappledirect.com/The-C...d-Epidemic.html
Or if you don't like her fuzzy headed views on some things. you can work with a veterinary teaching hospital.

The typical testing at a small vet's office will not be sensiitve enough to fine tune thyroid issues. Many hounds do just fine without meds if the problems are not severe, they can be kept warm enough and fed a supportive diet,, and even better with longterm meds correcting imbalances, but thyroid problems are at least partially heritable so you should think twice about breeding a hound with possible thyroid issues.

Some symptoms include
1) sudden change in temperament with increased crankiness including aggression toward people
2) bug eyes
3) oversensitivity to cold, and less noticeably, heat
4) indolence
5) weight gain without increase in food consumption or decrease in exercise
6) excessive thirst
7) thinning coat, hair loss
8) adverse vaccine reactions

thyroid problems usually develop in mature dogs and may either develop gradually or be triggered suddenly

probably more than you want to know, but sounds like your vet should check your dog out.

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esp