Khan (7-8 year old GSD/Malamute mix, 90 pounds) went to the vet last week
because he is starting to have some problems getting up. Once on his feet,
he is his usual self, and no problems with walks, playing with dogs, chasing
wildlife, etc. The vet thinks that he has arthritic changes in his right
hind leg, and accompanying muscular atrophy. Anyway, as long as we were
there, and drawing blood (Lyme test has become routine for anything
resembling a joint problem), we decided to run a geriatric panel. He was
due for one in October anyway, and I figured I'd save him a blood draw.

Overall, the test results look good. Lipase was a little elevated, which
the vet wasn't concerned about, but the T4 (total) came back at the low end
of normal, 1.1 on a scale where normal is between 1 and 4. We asked the lab
to run free T4, and the vet had called, leaving a message saying that it
came back on the low end of normal as well. Playing telephone tag at the
moment, and waiting for a call back, so I can find out what the actual
numbers are.

Anyway, Khan had a full Thyroid panel 2 years ago when he put on an
astonishing 13 pounds in about 6 weeks. The T4 results from that was a 4
(MSU panel has normals from 1 - 6), so his number from the recent test is
lower, after correcting for scale. I'll compare the free T4 with the
results from the MSU panel to see if there is a significant change there as
well. Now, the question is, if he is low normal, is it best to just wait
and see, start treatment and see, rerun a full panel in 6 months, or what?

I do have some concerns about him that that can all indicate a thyroid
problem, but have perfectly logical other explanations.

He gains weight so easily and is on a 500-600 cals/day diet - efficient
metabolism
Much more lethargic than he has been - age & heat
Coat condition a little dry and rough - food is low in fat also (9%), but he
does get fish oil (2000 mg, 600 mg Omega 3s)
Skin has a few scaly, rough patches, yet feels oily - has been to the vet
for this before, have prescription shampoo for it.
Starting to have an odor - Skin problems contributing to that; it's not
strong, but it is there, and he used to be pretty much odorless.

Suja

"Suja" wrote in message:

Playing telephone tag at the
moment, and waiting for a call back, so I can find out what the actual
numbers are.

Free T4 was 10, on a scale of 8 - 40. Two years ago, it was 9, on a scale
of 8 - 26. I'm considering a short course of low dose treatment to see if
there are any improvements, but DH thinks that I'm being paranoid and
turning him into a sick dog.

His Lyme titer hasn't changed. YAY!

Suja

"Suja" wrote in message
news:3Nsvg.78849$ZW3.47175@dukeread04...
Khan (7-8 year old GSD/Malamute mix, 90 pounds)
the T4 (total) came back at the low end
of normal, 1.1 on a scale where normal is between 1 and 4.

Free T4 was 10, on a scale of 8 - 40. Two years ago, it was 9, on a scale
of 8 - 26.

He gains weight so easily and is on a 500-600 cals/day diet - efficient
metabolism
Much more lethargic than he has been - age & heat
Coat condition a little dry and rough - food is low in fat also (9%), but
he
does get fish oil (2000 mg, 600 mg Omega 3s)
Skin has a few scaly, rough patches, yet feels oily - has been to the vet
for this before, have prescription shampoo for it.
Starting to have an odor - Skin problems contributing to that; it's not
strong, but it is there, and he used to be pretty much odorless.

.......I think I'd get the full panel run.......again. Maybe send the blood
to Dodds and see what she thinks. If it's not thyroid, there must be
something else going on. I know individual dogs do have different
metabolisms, but 500-600 cals (or kcals?) a day seems like not much.

buglady
take out the dog before replying