Thyroid testing

Results just came in and apparently everything is within the normal limits. I don't know if I'm happy or disappointed. I was hoping to have an answer as to what could be causing the changes in him. And I still don't. His changed behavior and demeanor has not been for the positive. He sleeps as much as my cats and I can't get him to walk even so far as a quarter of a mile anymore. He's up to 26# despite changing and cutting back his food. The only suggestion I got from the doctor was to put him on a prescription diet to get some weight off him. But I don't see that changing his attitude.

Not sure where to go from here.
 
Darci, now that any thyroid issue is off the table, I would definitely recommend having his hips and knees x-rayed if you haven't already had your vet do that. Unwillingness to walk is often a sign of pain...and the lack of exercise results in weight gain. Also have you had a full blood work panel done (commonly referred to as a "senior panel" even when done on a younger dog), not just the thyroid? Underlying illness can also cause the symptoms you are describing.

Hoping this is nothing serious...please keep us posted and give Watson a hug from me.

Trini
 
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He had a whole collection of tests done... some in house and the thyroid out to MSU. I've had his hips x-rayed perhaps a year and a half ago? The doc said they showed slight dysplasia but no sign of arthritic changes... this was when we started the glycoflex. His back leg occasionally will have a hopping limp that I have brought up but not terribly frequent. Doc has mentioned a "loose patella" but that there is not loss of strength in the hind end. But, unless it was a part of the hip xrays, it's not been done. We have a novox script to give "as needed." I've given it before attempting but it hasn't seemed to matter... his interested in walks is nil.

We played last night (finally he is starting to show interest in toys) but it lasted only about 5 minutes and he was done.

After taking care of his wounds last year, I know this little guy has a pretty high pain threshold. I can't help buy think something is bothering him but he's only subtly exhibiting problems. The weight gain to me, is secondary to his behavioral changes that I don't think a prescription diet is going to change.
 
He just called and left a voice mail saying all the numbers were normal on all the in house and the results from MSU came back saying all was normal and no indication to treat and he would happily prescribe a "metabolic" prescription food. But I want my happy sheltie back. He's turned into a lazy super grouch.
 
Darci, that "hopping limp" you mentioned he sometimes shows is very indicative of either a luxating patella or a partial tear of his ACL. Both can be very painful and dogs will self limit exercise to avoid the pain. Both can be corrected with surgery. If either of these is the issue, the negative of not correcting the problem is that the dog may compensate by putting heavier, not totally normally balanced use on the good leg and it can then develop problems too.

Trini
 
There are a few alternatives to Science Diet, too. I've had to find something with low crude fat due to Lily's elevated triglyceride count. Right now I have her on a Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe with red meat. It has .09 percent crude fat. (Lily's previous food, Taste of the Wild, had 18% crude fat). I also found a brand called Fromm, sweet potato and white fish that has 11% crude fat.

I add a few vegetables to each serving to make it a little more interesting for her.

For nutrition suggestions there's UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine's nutrition department. They have posted tips on-line, but you can also work with them to develop a personalized nutrition plan. I didn't pursue it past an initial email, so I can't tell you if there's a fee (and I assume there would be), or how expensive that fee would be.

I hope you find out soon why Watson is not acting like himself. It's difficult to see our little guys in any kind of distress and feel helpless.
 
I have talked about the hopping before but the doc never made a big thing about it other than to give a novox "as needed." I have always tried to keep him in the 20-21 pound range figuring that would be better to keep him on the lighter side with the hip dysplasia he's shown.

Maybe my best bet is another appointment to review the bloodwork and the actual numbers and think about exploring the knee. The food he's mentioned is apparently not a long term diet though I'm not sure just how it works. I'd like to get his weight down while we figure out the behavioral part. Besides his sulking on walks he's taken up charging and barking and snarling.... not normal for his personality.
 
Thyroid issues

I have read and have been told by sheltie breeders that a shelties thyroid should function at high normal levels. mY sheltie has had full panel testing done and all tests came back low normal. I have not been able to locate any vet info that supports the claim by breeders. wHat to do?????
 
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