Does anyone have a dog w/Hypothyroidism?

[allie&mattsmom]

Our 4 year old Lab had his annual checkup Monday. The vet is a little concerned (not hugely concerned - just wants to keep a watch on him) about hypothyroidism. Jake is a chocolate lab and over the past year has started getting grey on his chin. He said this would be like a 20 year old person going grey and that it can be a sign of hypothyroidism. Jake isn't showing any other signs though so he's not overly concerned at this time. He said some other signs would be like if he was lethargic, or doesn't like hot or cold weather. He has tons of energy and loves to be out in the sunshine and also loves to play out in the snow, so those don't really apply. DH took him to the vet so I didn't get to ask certain questions I would have liked. Is wanting to eat nonstop a sign of this? Because if it is he definitley has that symptom. How do they treat this in dogs? Does it shorten their lifespan? Thanks for any info anyone may be able to share.

 

[Royalbear]

A friend of mine's lab was acting kind of lethargic and depressed, had some bald patches on her chest and underneath her tail, and was gaining weight despite not eating more than usual. She had just had a baby, so she thought this was just a reaction to the decreased attention (and excercise) the lab was getting. She's an MD and finally suspected hypothyroidism, they did a blood test and found her level to be undetectable. They put her on synthroid (artificial thyroid) and now she acts like a puppy again.

BTW my husband went gray in his twenties and he is as healthy as a horse. If there is yellow lab in the recent lineage of your lab, it can explain the premature gray. If you are really worried, though a simple blood test can detect hypothyroidism.

Kisses to you pooch!