Should breeders be testing for Hypothyrodism?

[Jess041]

I am not familiar with hypothyroidism in dogs, but I am familiar with it in humans, since I've had hypothyroid since I was 17. From my human experience, it hasn't been that big of a deal. I get labs done every 3 months to make sure I'm on the right dosage. I can usually tell when something is not right and will get labs done earlier if needed.

Do dogs experience any complications with hypothyroid other than initial symptoms that lead you to a diagnosis? I've found it to be a very manageable health problem, compared to my many others. I guess when I think of a dog or cat having hypothryoid, I think the treatment is pretty similar. Am I wrong here?

On a lighter note, I guess my parents shouldn't have "bred". Both my grandmothers, my mom, and my dad's sister have hypothyroid.

 

[Lightplum]

Do dogs experience any complications with hypothyroid other than initial symptoms that lead you to a diagnosis? I've found it to be a very manageable health problem, compared to my many others. I guess when I think of a dog or cat having hypothryoid, I think the treatment is pretty similar. Am I wrong here?

No and its a relatively easy solution to fix once diagnosed...1-2 pills per day. Cost around $30 for 100 pills. Personally and not to sound complaisant about it, but id rather have a dog with Thyroid issues than Cancer, or DM issues...
And the beauty is once you have a level, its an easy maintenance.

 

[Lightplum]

also as an added its not understood fully yet how much of thyroid issues are actually environmental vs genetic. Ive read recently where feeding Kelp causes issues with the iodine levels in it with shelties...

 

[BarbV]

also as an added its not understood fully yet how much of thyroid issues are actually environmental vs genetic. Ive read recently where feeding Kelp causes issues with the iodine levels in it with shelties...

Yep! This is true. Iodine in moderate amounts is actually good - many people supplement their dog food with kelp, which is fine in most cases - but dogs that are predisposed to hypo can instantly get worse with excess Iodine.

 

[BarbV]

I am not familiar with hypothyroidism in dogs, but I am familiar with it in humans, since I've had hypothyroid since I was 17. From my human experience, it hasn't been that big of a deal. I get labs done every 3 months to make sure I'm on the right dosage. I can usually tell when something is not right and will get labs done earlier if needed.

Do dogs experience any complications with hypothyroid other than initial symptoms that lead you to a diagnosis? I've found it to be a very manageable health problem, compared to my many others. I guess when I think of a dog or cat having hypothryoid, I think the treatment is pretty similar. Am I wrong here?

On a lighter note, I guess my parents shouldn't have "bred". Both my grandmothers, my mom, and my dad's sister have hypothyroid.

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Yes, its manageable somewhat once its diagnosed (but not easily). The problem is getting the diagnosis and then maintaining the correct dosage thereafter. The reality is that a large percentage of dogs are hypothyroid and show such minimal symptoms that go for for years before going on meds. (Unlike humans who can, I don't feel like myself, I think I need to go to the doctor!!!)

And the problem with that is while the hypo is not treated, its my understanding that it can lead to secondary and possiblly more fatal immune disorders (like kidney and liver disease - as potentially the case with my Bacca). In addition, the same meds I use to control his thyroid may actually be contributing to his liver condition.

Since Bacca was diagnosed at almost 2 years old (he's 4.5 years old now), its been a roller coaster. Thyroid controlled, Bile Acide tests over the roof, ongoing behaviour impacts, lack of appetite, lack of energy, no play, skin and coat condition is currently very bad right now. Some days he lacks both the energy and/or the mental capacity to figure out how to jump on the bed. Sometimes he's back legs buckle under him (another symptom, btw). Then suddenly for a few weeks, he'll be back to normal - only to slide again. It's not such a great life.

I don't think its fair to compare treatment of this disease to humans. The reality is a huge amount of money and research has gone into this for decades for humans to make it manageable. Not so for dogs. It's a learning process still.

 

[BarbV]

No coyness here, just asking you to be clear in your language.

I have only heard the term "overbreeding" in relations to "puppy mills". And again, I don't know in what context that term is used. So for you to use it in the same conversation as you are talking about "responsible breeders" confuses me. All I am asking for is a definition. Is a breeder who breeds one untested litter a year, full of Champions, "overbreeding"? Is a breeder who breeds 20 fully-tested litters a year "overbreeding"?

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I define, perhaps incorrectly, overbreeding as breeders who breed lines more for the sake of form than function (i.e. without regards to the overall sustainability and health of the breed). Feel free to give me a better term.

A Champion dog does not necessarily equal a breedable or even a healthy dog, for all the reasons that have already been stated so far, though it would be easy to argue that case, I'm sure.

I almost prefer the breeder who breeds 20 fully-tested litters (with the qualification that appropriate line-breeding protocol is followed) and of course, that she has the facilities and staff to support that many breedings to develop healthy and well socialized dogs (i.e. not a factory environment).

 

[BarbV]

But testing for this, and then this other thing, and then this one too, and actually there's this one that just came out... that's a slippery slope. The importance of each test can be interpreted very differently by different professionals depending on their backgrounds.

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I agree that you can't or shouldn't test for everything. How you could possibly? But if I were to tell you that Shelties are in the Top 10 breeds with the potential for this disease, wouldn't you test for that? How soon before Shelties move into the Top 5 if it continues without some management?

As many of you know, I own a pet store and I see dozens of dogs every week. I recently had two Shelties come in on the same day, both from different breeders, and not even from my own breeder (though I suppose they could be related somewhere). On interacting with both of them I noticed that both had the same seborrhea-type skin condition as Bacca. In otherwise perfectly healthy dogs. (and both less than 3 years old). These dogs were being fed well, and groomed regularly. No obvious symptoms of other allergies. What conclusion would you draw knowing what I know and have seen with Bacca?

 

[mellie]

I am not familiar with hypothyroidism in dogs, but I am familiar with it in humans, since I've had hypothyroid since I was 17. From my human experience, it hasn't been that big of a deal. I get labs done every 3 months to make sure I'm on the right dosage. I can usually tell when something is not right and will get labs done earlier if needed.

Do dogs experience any complications with hypothyroid other than initial symptoms that lead you to a diagnosis? I've found it to be a very manageable health problem, compared to my many others. I guess when I think of a dog or cat having hypothryoid, I think the treatment is pretty similar. Am I wrong here?

On a lighter note, I guess my parents shouldn't have "bred". Both my grandmothers, my mom, and my dad's sister have hypothyroid.

Interesting...I had to have my thyroid removed and have adrenal insufficiency but no one else in my family has had any issues. Of coures the jury is out with my kids and grandkids.Like you I can tell when things are out of whack, but since our dogs can't tell us that they can go untreated or under/overtreated so I think that is the problem. Slow/irregular heartbeat and slow metabolism,lethargy,depression,skin issues like humans. Not sure if dogs have lower immunity issues. Cats aren't usually hypothyroid but can be hyperthyroid and take meds to surpress hormone prduction with regular testing of their levels too.