Thyroid & Hair Loss - Page 6

I can't wait to hear the results! But I think you'll have to start a new thread? Good luck! And what a lucky break this was, already!

Great news, GSDLVR. Keep us posted.

GSDLVR - Yes, please keep us posted and best of luck to you and Xandra! I'm glad the screening was compatible and you felt comfortable with BTW - I just took my female in today to the dermatologist for our initial consult. She's going to undergo the intradermal skin test on 12/7. I've also requested my vet switch us to Soloxine per the dermatologist's suggestion as well. The dermatologist has already forewarned me that she's going to look worse (and itch more) before she gets better while we wait for the steroids to get completely out of her system sometime in late January.

Please keep us posted on the results of the skin testing. I don't think you will regret having it done. If I ever have another atopic dog, I will never again fool around with steroids, omegas, switching food, etc; that dog will be skin tested ASAP. Desensitizing is not a quick fix, but in the long run, it does bring relief to most dogs. Good luck.........

Here is an update from the woman that is taking care of my female with Holistic/Organic treatments: "Xandra is doing well though has express missing her family. Thanksgiving was work and then dinner at my parents. Xandra and others enjoyed the extra turkey and ham. They could have gone to my parents but three at their small house was a bit much. Yesterday TJ (husband) took the three in our van while I went to work for several hours and then the five of us went shopping together. She had a good time with the others. Xandra has adopted TJ's chair. The ointment has decreased the heat to her skin. It is softer and not flaking. She appear to not be itching. Dr Brown came and seen her and took the fecal specimen. He said that if she has whips he is not going to treat her for about a week until we get a fair amount of protein and carbs into her. She is getting at least one steak per day and then like a pot roast with rice or potatoes. There has been no more blood in her stool. He thinks that she was to point of dying soon due to her nutitional status. He has taken off the thyroid. He did draw blood to look at renal and liver status. He ask about her records. If you can copy and mail them to me would be great. Both vets and my Dad think her major problem is an over stress of her immune system. All think we can have her turned around within a few weeks. Plan is for her to get an oatmeal bath this next week. The lotion will change after her bath. Oh the other thing we changed is lifting her food and water pans from off the floor to a height of a coffe table. This help her digestion and increases how much she can intake. It also decreases the option of her intestines twisting. Everyone is sleeping right now. They are about two foot apart. I told her as soon as she got better that she would return to her family. We may even come by for a visit after their baths on Friday this coming week. Would that be good? Will share this with docs. She still has the scab but it seems a little better. Her hair feels softner today to me. Not as coarse. I do not have scales here but Doc Brown felt she was less than half her predicted weight. Did I tell you that if she has whips that he did not want to treat her right away? It is the nutritional thing. TJ says that she has a gloss to her eyes that he did not see when he got home Wednesday. She is sleeping in his recliner right now. Listen. Do not beat yourself up over her care. I think you and the docs tried. It is just with show breeds they have been breed in such a way they are much more sensitive to everything including stress. Certain use and combinations of meds are very hard on system. Dad said that if he has to use the shot related to heat that they get two days of vitamins and then are placed on meat Tground round w/rice) for several days along with the vitamins. He is convinced that it and the heartworm shots are bad for animals systems. He says he knows that it is a nursing gut feeling but none of his will be on it again. She is snoring and making puppy sounds. Like she is chasing rabbits. Oh she has not messed with the cats here. She tried to smell Sylvester last night and he slapped her. I think she apologized in her whimper because he loved back to her. It was such a sweet site. Her steak is ready. Got to go"

***I am amazed that the woman said her nutritional status was bad - she has been eating 10 cups or more of holistic dogfood a day (5 morning/5 night)...it just never seemed to stick to her ribs...:( PS - they took her off the Soloxine We'll see....they think she may have whipworms which would surprise me - she's never had worms before. She also had seen blood in her stool - weird. I just hope she doesn't have anything serious. They seem to think she will recover in a few weeks - that would be a miracle!

Miracles do happen!!!

To All - You wanted an update about Xandra... I had to make the extremely difficult decision to humanely euthanize her this week. She passed on with her head in my hands and my tears on her brow. I know she is now at peace. It was 2 years of hell for her and I am glad the suffering is over but it isn't the same without her precious loving face. I got her back and put her on the raw diet. Nothing helped - she only continued to grow worse and be miserable with constant itching/bleeding/scabs, etc. I finally realized she was probably pretty miserable. Imagine living for 2 years constantly itching and biting and scratching and no relief...I had to ask myself it I was keeping her alive for me or her. The vet said I did everything I could do...normally I wouldn't care what someone says or thinks regarding this decision, but I knew he was right...I really did it all. Having a GSD is the best thing, but this part of it is certainly the worst. :(

GSDLVR, I am very sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine how hard this has been. I wish you all the best as you heal from this sadness.

I'm sorry, GSDLVR. You did your best; none of us could have done it better.