Myxedema hyperthyroid...

[Max Hawk]

Hyperthyroidism in dogs is almost always Malignant. Hypothyroidism is very common in Dobermans, typically autoimmune in nature and benign unless there's cardiac involvement.

My suggestion is to see a Veterinary Internal Medicine specialist, or there is an Endocrinologist in Kansas City.

I am dealing with autoimmune hypothyroid with cardiac involvement in one of my Dobermans. She is only 4. She's had chronically low normal
Thyroid since her first blood panel at 6 months. I advise to contact your breeder to not only inform them of the news, but to see if the parents are affected by thyroid disease of any nature or any other endocrine conditions.

I from what I read the one type is rather rare but I'm a bit confused as to which is which..I am sorry to hear your are dealing with thyroid problems as well..More prevalent in females?? It that correct.

 

[Archer]

Our boy Yago with Occult DCM had a low normal thyroid. Our holistic vet bumped it up to mid range to just above. Seems to be doing much better. And his coat is better. And since the thyroid can cause heart issues (and other organ and gland functions) we decided to bump his level up.
Most vets will say well its still in the normal range so its ok. Well I think it depends on the dog and breed and age! These are just ranges!
Since Dobermans are notorious for thyroid issues! Each dog is different.

Funny you say this as it was exactly what I was taking to both my Vet and Dr Meurs about. I agree it depends on breed and age and how clinical the dog is if at all. Did you see a reduction of Yago's occult DCM after the thyroid was treated?

 

[Archer]

Sorry to hear about this is happening.

Very good info! It also mentions about being treated using intravenous levothyroxine.
Hypothyroidism and Myxedema Coma - VetFolio
www.vetfolio.com/internal-medicine/hypothyroidism-and-myxedema-coma
Hypothyroidism is a common endocrinopathy in dogs but is rare in cats. Lymphocytic thyroiditis and idiopathic thyroid atrophy are common causes of this condition. Specific thyroid function tests, in conjunction with clinical signs and physical examination findings, are used to help

Yes and Dobermans are typically idiopathic autoimmune in origin

 

[Archer]

I from what I read the one type is rather rare but I'm a bit confused as to which is which..I am sorry to hear your are dealing with thyroid problems as well..More prevalent in females?? It that correct.

Thanks!! Yes, Hyperthyroid is rare. Hypothyroid is common. No increased instance in either sex, our breed is just predisposed

 

[strykerdobe]

Funny you say this as it was exactly what I was taking to both my Vet and Dr Meurs about. I agree it depends on breed and age and how clinical the dog is if at all. Did you see a reduction of Yago's occult DCM after the thyroid was treated?

Well its hard to say if its the Meds holding it off and a reduction. Are the supplements helping or the combo of both. But the reduction was after adding the Thyroid meds. We started on meds for his Thyroid about 8-10 months ago. Also a factor I think we caught it earlier than his brother Stryker's DCM

It has not progressed after being diagnosed since Dec. 2015. He started out with only a lower Heart Function with a Fractional Shortening (FS) of 18% (25-40% is the Normal Range) and a slightly enlarged Heart. He also only had less than 10 VPC's.

He was started on 3 Heart meds in Dec. 2015. Then in sometime in 2016 low dose of Spironolactone was added because his Holter showed a couple of short Runs. Those are now gone. Also we did start him on in Aug. 2015 with a low dose of supplements. This was because of his brother Stryker's DCM diagnosis. Then in Dec. 2015 (with Occult Diagnosis) with a wide regiment (and large dosage of mg's) of supplements of CoQ10, L-Carnitine, D-Ribose, Taurine, Vit. C, Vit E, Fish Oil, Magnesium and Potassium Aspartate, Milk Thistle and Dandelion. Also the addition of CBD Oil since May 2017 for a Neck Issue. But within the past couple of months I saw a couple of studies about it helping the Heart. We also give lots of Cow, Turkey and Chicken Hearts. He has been Raw fed for about 4 1/2yrs.

All of his Echo's showed a constant FS of 18% up until his Neck issue in May 2017. Because they needed to knock him out and do an MRI. They need to Echo his Heart to see how it was doing. May's Echo showed his FS increased to 22.3% !!!!!!!!!!!!! Also his Heart is pumping much better and a little smaller (but not much). Like I said we started on meds for his Thyroid about 8-10 months ago. Before the start of Thyroid meds we tried to boost the Thyroid with Standard Process supplements but it didn't boost it enough.

Needless to say his Cardiologist was very surprised! He goes in for another Echo in November of this year. We Echo every 6mo and Holter every 3mo.

 

[Janiethedob]

Thanks everyone. This is all very interesting. And very sad.


A quick question for you all; Janie sometimes walks backwards. It happens everyday. Idk what it is, if it's no big deal and she just likes walking backward, or if it means something.

 

[Janiethedob]

My suggestion is to see a Veterinary Internal Medicine specialist, or there is an Endocrinologist in Kansas City....

Kansan City, Kansan? Or Kansas City, Missouri? Thanks.

 

[JanS]

A quick question for you all; Janie sometimes walks backwards. It happens everyday. Idk what it is, if it's no big deal and she just likes walking backward

I don't know if it's different in your case but Della will back all the way down the hall or when she sees fit if it will get her where she wants to go faster.

 

[Kaiser2016]

They do walk backwards very well, so this probably means nothing medical. K will do this if he knows a treat is coming and can see it in my hands - he always has to sit to receive food/treats. But I also use the command "back up" so that he's not right beside me all the time.

 

[Janiethedob]

Haha thanks guys. Janie is our first Dobe (otherthen my dad's Dobe waayyyy before my time lol.). Glad Janie isn't the only one!

 

[Janiethedob]

Janie had her two week follow-up appointment today. Instead of giving you guys a super long post like last time lol, I'll just give you the basics. Basically, he said her Thyroid counts are perfect. Last time, it was <0.50 and today it's 3.20... Ideally is between 1.20 and 4.30. So she actually has Hypo, and not Hyper? We have another follow up in about two months, and she has Thyroid meds til then. And she's lost 6 ibs!! Vet said not to put her on any special diets or anything, continue everything as it's been. The weight will be taken care of along with her Thyroid issues with the use of the meds. He said she should gradually get better and better. Everyone today at the vets office was comepletely shocked! He said that he sent her home two weeks ago expecting her to die and be buried, nowhere near where she is today. We took her out to our house that has five acres, and she just ran and ran! Lol thanks everyone for help and helpful info.

 

[Janiethedob]

And I thought she was a dog lol.

 

[strykerdobe]

That is great news!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Janiethedob]

Hey guys!! So it’s been a couple minutes. Janie had another checkup, roughly two weeks ago. She is still doing good. Her thyroid was on the low side, but still in the average range. Her dosage was 1 pill twice daily, not it’s 1-1/2 pills, twice daily. And she lost another six pounds! She is normal other then that, I think.

 

[JanS]

Good to hear - thanks for the update! So sweet...

 

[strykerdobe]

Just an FYI
Even if the Thyroid is on the low side but still in the normal range It can be boosted up to mid range. This is just a range. Each dog is dirrerent. Especially Dobes boosting the Thyroid a bit can help. But some Vets will always say don't worry about it its in the normal range.
If you don't want to use meds there are some supplements that can boost the Thyroid.

 

[WiglWerm]

WONDERFUL news!! Yay! She is looking good with the added weight loss as well!!