Thyroid & Hair Loss - Page 1

Hi All - We are now trying thyroid treatment (Soloxine) on my show female as a last resort before having to put her down. She has been through SO much testing (to include skin scrapes for demodex and other manges, allergy testing, blood tests, etc.) and this is our final treatment to try to get her hair back. ***Can anyone tell me of any experiences they have had with thyroid issues and hair loss and typical symptoms, etc.? I just need a shred of hope from someone out there...she has been on this treatment for about a week - nothing yet... SV Judge, Fred Lanting is an acquaintance of ours and he suggested this thyroid treatment as he said many showlines may require a boost to their thyroid and most vet thyroid tests will come out as normal when, in fact, the shepherd just needs Soloxine to give a boost to the thyroid. I HOPE this works so that we can get her hair back, spay her and find her a fabulous companion home. Any suggestions or educated info very much appreciated.

I have a female Shepherd that is out of West working and West show lines. She started gaining weight and losing her hair but not to bad, just enough that I noticed. She is on the same thing that you put your girl on. She looks really good now and will have to be on that all her life. My vet told me it will take a month or so to start seeing results, when we first put her on it. What is the dosage that she is on? She is a 9 year old big puppy now and looks beautiful. I really hope it works out for you as well. GOOD LUCK!!!

What were the results of all the tests and treatments to date? Indeed, improper thyroid levels can and do effect coat. One can see anything from simply brittle and dry coat to a loss of coat that generally begins along side the body and is symmetrical on both sides. Weight gain or lethargy is also common. Sometimes tests can be wrong, and sometimes they are right but a given dog has some special need. I think it would be helpful to see photos of the hair loss on the dog. But it is definitely worth a try. And unless there is some other major health issue, putting her down because of hair loss is often not necessary. There may also be dietary issues involved. More information would be helpful.

Kelly - She is on .7 mg twice a day. She has I would say lost 60% or more of her hair...started on the rump/tail and has progressed to back, sides, around her eyes, on some of her neck/undercarriage and behind her ears...it's SO bad. :( I am glad to hear it could take up to a month to see results, though. She looks like a giant chinese crested. I don't want to give up on her. She is a wonderful GSD aside from this specific issue. Her itching is constant...the Dr. prscribed her prednisone (steroid), but it doesn't do any good. As far as test results...no to all manges - they never found anything on her. Allergies says vet: almost everything...(not fleas) weeds of every kind, cedar, chicken, nut trees, and even a little allergic to human dander (PEOPLE) according to the Dr....***however, according to Fred, this could be classic of a dog's thyroid needing some help. The thing is she has been kept from everything on the huge list and her diet is extremely good. One thing: she has NOT gained weight - she lost it - that's why I took her off of the vet-recommended dogfood (duck/potato)...she was withering away and her ribs were showing, so I put her on a holistic dogfood and bison...she has gained weight now, but still no hair. Still bites herself like crazy.

My Showline Jake has Thyroid problems and he does not have any problems with Hair loss.. He is also on Soloxine ( 0.3MG twice a day) send me an email and I will link you to a site that you can buy Soloxine at a cheap price.

My female is on .8 mg. She was diagnosed when she was 4.5 years old. She is now 9. She was very lazy wouldn't do a whole lot of anything. She was weighed in at 97 pounds and my vet said if we went any longer without putting her on this she would have had a stroke. Her cholesterol was in the 1,000 range and losing hair. She did do some chewing on herself but not to bad. I do have her on springtime as well as her Soloxine. I of course asked my vet and brought the magazine in for them to make sure it was o.k for her to have. They highly recommended it because it's all natural. Their web site is www.springtimeinc.com if you want to check it out. All my dogs are on it and it works really good for them. I really wish you all the luck, and if you would like me to discuss this with my vet I will. It never hurts to get more opinions on her. BEST OF LUCK!!

Have you had her checked for Cushing's disease? That could also be a problem, is the pigment of her skin darkening?

VBK9 - YES, it is...it's an asphalt (blackish grey) color, extremely thick and dry and scabby. Never heard of this "Cushing's". What is it?

GSDLVR, see this link: http://www.vetinfo.com/dencyclopedia/decushings.html and another good one: http://www.kateconnick.com/library/cushingsdisease.html Cushings is also a possibility, but I would have thought your vet might have checked for this. If he/she was treating for allergies with steroids, this might have enhanced the problem. I do not think it is time to give up on the dog and I wonder if you might want a second opinion. Good luck.

Thanks hodie - i'll go check it out