Thyroid Levels OK

Got the results today when I went to see Mark with Benji. Dylan's value was 39, which is upper end of normal, so perfect. So glad that we have him stable as well now. He was so bouncy and happy this morning on our walk, it is great to see that I have got my Dylan back.

Thyroid Test

Dylan's thyroid test was due, so he came to the vets with Troy on Friday. Results are back, but I haven't had a chance yet to talk to the vet. I'll call Mark on Monday.

Dylan finally fine again

It is such a joy to see Dylan run again on walks! He is full of energy again and is enjoying himself! I am so happy!

Dylan is better

It has taken quite a while for Dylan to start feeling better. I have also found that the CSJ Senior/Lite food didn't help... in fact, that's what seemed to take his energy away. I have switched him back to the adult CSJ he was on before and he is much brighter, more energetic on walks and his coat is looking better. And now that his thyroid is sorted out, he is not putting weight on anymore by just looking at food... In fact, I have put his amount up a bit as he got to skinny.

Increased dosage

Now that all the blood tests are back (T4 lower than expected, but not that low anymore, no antibodies), Mark increased the Soloxine from 0.5 mg a day to 0.8 mg. We'll see whether that makes a difference! If not, then I think we will need to start looking further again.

Dylan still gets too tired on walks. On Monday, he went for a fox chase with Flash and was so knackered afterwards, I had to cut the walk short!

Follow-up Blood Test

Dylan has been better since being on Soloxine, however, not as great as I hoped. Today we went to get the 1-month blood test done to see what his T4 is doing. I asked for a comprehensive test as I would like to see whether he has the same type of hypothyroidism as Jesse, though I suspect he hasn't. But the antibody reading in the results will tell us. I also suspect that his dosage will need to be put up.

Feeling better, but not perfect yet

Dylan is now pretty much back to normal indoors, though still a bit sluggish on walks at times. He's been on Soloxine for two weeks now, it's another two weeks until we will do blood tests again. I suspect that we will need to up the dosage, but we'll see.

Talked to Mark

I talked to Mark this morning and he confirmed the dosage of 0.25 mg twice a day for Dylan. So I am on the right track and we'll see how we get on. Dylan was very playful last night when I came home, but still tired on the walk this morning. But it will take about a week or so, though he looks happier overall already - might just be my imagination though.

Soloxine

I haven't heard back from Mark yet regarding Dylan's medication. So I have made the calculation myself for now as Dylan really isn't feeling great. Jean Dodds said that sighthounds need 0.1 mg/20 pounds (sighthounds apparently need only half the dose of a normal dog). Dylan is 23kg/50lbs, so he would need the exact same dosage as Jesse is on, which is 0.25 mg twice a day. So I have decided to start Dylan on Soloxine using Jesse's tablets last night. And I hope that Mark will get back to me tomorrow on whether that is correct.

Jean Dodds does say to also do a free T4 test, however, looking at all the symptoms that Dylan is showing, I doubt it is necessary. He gets tired on walks, moulting excessively, ear infections, not feeling 100%... all points towards thyroid, so I am happy to just treat him without further tests.

Hypothyroidism

Well, I took Dylan to see Mark on Thursday. The urine didn't show anything exciting, so a comprehensive "senior" blood test was done. The results came back today and Dylan has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. His result was 5.7 when the normal range is 18.0 - 58.0, so well below! It's not good news, but on the other hand, it is perfectly manageable and Dylan will be able to lead a perfectly normal life with a normal life span.

At least I know now what the problem is now and Dylan will feel a lot better again once on medication.