Thyroid Problems

[Cloc]

Hi,

I'm a newbie here but starting to enjoy these healthy exchange of thoughts.

I just would like to know if we have any basis to differentiate alopesia vs Hypothyroidism by just merely seeing or observing the hair loss patterns? My Dog is suffering from hair loss and it's getting worst. I was trying to rule out any skin allergies because as I observed he doesn't smell like any dog who is suffering from allergies. His paws are not swollen, my only concern is he's getting hair loss pattern in the back portion. And the area is getting dark and just dry...no bumps or boils. I was planning to extract blood sample for him and run a thyroid panel testing but he is familiar with needle even the Vet has a hard time. Hope you can help me guyz....thanks a lot! God bless you more!

Cheers

Cloc

[bruinsBoxers]

Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disease in dogs. The thyroid gland controls the speed of metabolism of almost all body cells. When thyroid hormones are subnormal, many different body systems can be affected; so the clinical appearance of the disease can vary. The most common clinical signs include: weight gain, sluggishness, skin and hair coat problems (including hair loss), weakness, cold intolerance, and infertility. Although hypothyroidism is not life threatening, the quality of life is subnormal.

I think you should definately have the blood panels run as the thyroid glands help to maintain the body , when they get out of wack it can cause other problems .
You want to have them run tests for -Total Thyroxine (T4), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Free T4 by Dialysis, and Thyroglobulin Autoantibody (TgAA).