Sasha - HYPOTHYROID - Yes, it's true...

Sasha is going to see the vet on Thursday afternoon. She's suddenly started acting her age and I am concerned. No sickness, poops fine, not real interested in food, but never was she just acts real tired and old. I want to rule out anything wrong going on inside of her. If it's just old age I can deal with that. She's just not as perky as she's always been. We will be seeing the one and only vet she's ever been to since she's been my girl. He's close to retirement but still working day times. He is awesome and understandably very busy and in demand that is why we have to wait till Thursday. If she changes before then we'll fit her in as an emergency. If you could send her some good thoughts this week I'd appreciate it.

Awww, poor old girl. How old is she? Just curious. She'll be in our prayers.

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Originally Posted by Karen

Awww, poor old girl. How old is she? Just curious. She'll be in our prayers.

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When I adopted her from the Humane Society they said she was two. My vet disagreed and said one. So she is either 13 years old or 12 years old.

If she has suddenly slowed down it is a good idea to take her for a check up. Just to ease your mind. I hope everything turns out alright. Will keep positive thoughts going for that pretty girl.

She could just have a little bug or something. Good thoughts that she's doing just fine. :)

I just had a thought. I wonder if Sasha is mourning the loss of our last ferret Sebastian. She'd run from him, they weren't "buddies". But could she be in mourning? If the vet check comes back that she's fine maybe she is.

Give my love to her. I hope it's nothing serious. I've got a vet that will probably be retiring soon, himself. I hope Sasha will be feeling better soon.

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Originally Posted by Queen of Poop

I just had a thought. I wonder if Sasha is mourning the loss of our last ferret Sebastian. She'd run from him, they weren't "buddies". But could she be in mourning? If the vet check comes back that she's fine maybe she is.

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She could be picking up on your sadness too.

I have a 13 year old girl too. Somedays Sleet acts her age, somedays she thinks she's a puppy again. Somedays I look at her and wonder when the heck did Sleet get so old, I don't remember that happening!

I hope it's just age slowing Sasha down or just a bad day!

Well, looks like Miss Sasha is a hypothyroid doggie. She apparently has all the symptoms. Waiting on the blood test to tell us for sure. The vet is also running a canine geriatric panel to see if all else within is ok.

Poor Sasha. I hope it's nothing too serious.

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Originally Posted by Queen of Poop

Well, looks like Miss Sasha is a hypothyroid doggie. She apparently has all the symptoms. Waiting on the blood test to tell us for sure. The vet is also running a canine geriatric panel to see if all else within is ok.

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Thyroid conditions can look like depression.. And easily solved with daily medication in the form of a pill. I give femkas twice a day at meals in her food.

So Miss Sasha is indeed hypothyroid. Got the meds and started her on them Friday as soon as I got home. She's feeling better and looking better. Her geriatric panel came back ok, except for her kidney function, which the vet called marginal. He seems to think that getting the thyroid meds into her could make her kidney function get better. It will be something we keep a close eye on. Any feeding suggestions for a 12 year old girl, who hates to eat, has a delicate tummy, is hypothyroid with potential kidney issues?

Yah! That's cheap and easy to treat! I have more experience than I'd like with hypothyroidism! Preacher had it as do Earle and Chum. You may find Sasha wants to eat a bit more once she's feeling better. Just limit her fat intake. Earle gets baby carrots as treats and green beans added to his kibble so he doesn't think I'm starving him. With every one of my hypothryoid dogs, I noticed improvement in their energy levels, mood ect within a week of starting the meds!

I have a hyperthyroid cat and one of my vet's major concern with treating the hyperthyroidism is that it may negatively impact Beau's kidneys. The hyperthyroidism forces everything into overdrive, including his kidneys. Beau's ancient so his kidney function is marginal. I would assume that the opposite is also true--hypothyroidism causes less of everything, so the kidneys aren't working as effectively and will work better once the thyroid is regulated.

I hope Sasha is feeling better soon!

Are you getting the meds in her OK? Don't know about her tummy issues, but rolling the pill in a bit of peanut butter makes it easier to get the pill in the dog! I'm just not familiar with the tummy problems you mentioned.

Sugar loves her carrots, HAS to have them with her breakfast and dinner. If I don't put them, she won't eat and just follows me around, "Forgot something, Mom!" Green beans, raw apple, and raw sweet potatoe also are great, help clean the teeth too. Again, I don't know the impact ont he tummy.

It may take up to a week for the meds to help her. But they do help!

Best wishes
Sandie

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Originally Posted by Freedom

Are you getting the meds in her OK? Don't know about her tummy issues, but rolling the pill in a bit of peanut butter makes it easier to get the pill in the dog! I'm just not familiar with the tummy problems you mentioned.

Sugar loves her carrots, HAS to have them with her breakfast and dinner. If I don't put them, she won't eat and just follows me around, "Forgot something, Mom!" Green beans, raw apple, and raw sweet potatoe also are great, help clean the teeth too. Again, I don't know the impact ont he tummy.

It may take up to a week for the meds to help her. But they do help!

Best wishes
Sandie

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I don't have any troubles pilling her. She's good about that. It's food and it's always been an issue. She does not like dog food - ANY dog food. And only some people foods. She's developed sensitive tummy and certain foods upset her and give her the runny poops. She's been on a gastro diet since last summer, and while she ate it at first now she will not touch it. As for vegies, nope, turns her nose up at any and all of those too. The only thing she really likes are Iams dog cookies and she cannot live off of those.