Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Hypothyroidism Reversed!

I am excited to report that I have seen, with my own eyes, how hypothyroidism that depletes the health and well-being of a dog can be reversed. When I first met Edgar he was a happy 9 year old giant Irish Wolfhound/Giant Schnauzer mix that started coming in to SplashDog (the warm water therapy pool I co-own). His Dad, Ken, was concerned because Edgar suddenly wasn't interested in going on roller-blade runs anymore. Something he used to love. He had slowed down in other ways as well and seemed gimpy. Ken got his Vet's opinion. They did x-rays and found some muscle arthritis and a disc issue. Edgar like to swim so Ken brought him to SplashDog and began swimming him in hopes that the exercise would help keep him strong and reduce pain. Ken and I got to know one another and the three of us and my dog Devi became close. (we are a family now, which is a whole other story:-) The Edgar I met then and got to know was a 'geriatric' giant, older dog. He was a bit slow in his mobility, he dragged the tops of his back feet and his rear limbs weren't very stable. He was happy, but not excited about much. He liked being with us but was challenged by his 'disability' when it came to being active and engaged. Edgar began having trouble with his mouth. He had an infection in his gums due to bad teeth. At least 2 teeth needed to be extracted. Dental surgery is expensive for a small healthy dog, let alone for a giant, older dog. Edgar's Vet did an exam to determine if he was healthy enough to go through a surgical procedure, which is standard for a geriatric dog. Edgar had an irregular heartbeat. Blood tests are done prior to any surgery and Edgar's came back showing he had a sluggish thyroid, hypothyroidism. He began taking a low dose of thyroid medication in hopes that improving his thyroid function would help regulate his heart. If his heart was stronger he could have the dental surgery he needed. Meanwhile the infection in his mouth was very bothersome for him, poor boy. Ken did everything he could to help ease Edgar's suffering, while the Vet held firm, suggesting no surgery until he was strong enough. The process was hard on both Ken and Edgar. Months went by, antibiotics helped but wore off and the infection came back. Finally, Edgar's heart seemed stable enough. Ken was bracing himself in case the procedure was too much for his boy. The infection was making Edgar miserable. The surgery had to be done. Edgar came through the surgery like a champ! About 9 teeth ended up being extracted, the worst 2 let loose a flood of infection when they pulled them. I'm sure that was instant relief. He now has what the Vet Tech calls a hillbilly smile, with 2 front teeth missing. He loves showing off his smile now for anyone that wants to see it. The most amazing things I have noticed over the last few months is that he is active and engaged in life now. He trots when we start off on our walks. He barks at people and dogs that he used to just watch go by. He laughs and goofs off a lot, Ken says that is the Edgar he always knew before he and I met. We noticed that the elbows that had turned into bald, elephant skinned, old dog elbows were now furry again. The weird smell he always had has been replaced with a fresh doggy smell (that I personally like) and the fur all over his body is shiny and soft. His coat is like a new stuffed animal now, not like the old rug it had been over the last year or so. Another benefit of the turn around is that he is actually more stable in his mobility. He still has the arthritis but his rear limbs don't wobble like they used to when he walks. We are so happy that he is happy and feeling good again. It was a rough time for Ken and Edgar to go through and the signs came on so gradually that we didn't realize the thyroid was involved. Although geriatric screenings are recommended annually, not all of us do them. But that has changed in this household. So this big, handsome boy that I first met 2 years ago has been given a much better quality of life, and hopefully a couple more years of health and happiness. We couldn't be happier. If you notice any of the signs of hypothyroidism, talk to your Vet about having bloodwork done to determine what is going on. A small dose of thyroid medicine per day is a very small price to pay to get Edgar back to his adorable self.

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