Canine Thyroid Epidemic by W Jean Dodds - Need Opinions

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Has anyone had a chance to read this book yet?  Or any books by Dr. Dodds? 

It's possible that one of my dogs has a thyroid problem.   I need to be informed to know which test will give an accurate diagnosis.  Any input would be appreciated. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You ask your vet to run a full thyroid blood panel. It typically takes about 2 weeks to get the results, it has to be sent out.

What kind of symptoms are making you think one of your dogs has a thyroid problem?

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Losing hair around the eyes and thinning on the body, dull coat, dry skin, lacks energy.  Keeps getting bacterial skin infection every 2-3 months.  I talked to the vet about dermatitis or cushings, but was told there would be more symptoms.  I use unscented laundry soap to wash bedding, organic unscented shampoo, no grain diet, supplement EPO.  Ruled out fleas/mites and use frontline plus year round.  I've been told thyroid problems have similiar symptoms.  Not knowing much about it was looking for more information. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'd run the panel. I had one done on Jack before his allergy testing. Even if it comes up negative, which Jack's did, I felt it was money well spent to rule out a thyroid issue, which is relatively common in doodles.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I had the thyroid panel done on Murphy a few months ago.  It came back normal.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Whatever it is Tina, I hope you can get it figured out and treated, Poor doggy!!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Tina, have you read Dr. Dodd's book that you mentioned above? I have not read her books but have followed her somewhat on line and agree with her approach to canine health issues. Ultimately though a test is probably the only way to know for sure if you can rule this out for your dog.  Are you concerned that the test your vet runs might not be accurate? Are you considering having the test done by Dr Dodd's lab? If so maybe your vet will do the blood draw for you and you can send it to the Dodd lab. When we started testing titers on Tara I wasn't sure I could find a vet here locally that offered the test and was planning to send a blood sample to Dodd's lab for titer testing. My vet agreed to do the draw for us but in the end I found a vet locally that offered the test. I still might send it to Dodd next time though because I think her testing is very accurate.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

To my knowledge, your own vet can't run the full thyroid panel. Your vet does draw the blood, but then it gets sent out. My vet sends it to the Univ. Of Michigan. I know it can be done through Dr. Dodds' lab, too. There may be other places, but I don't know of any.

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

I believe it's sent to Iowa State University. 

 

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

The vet is doing a full panel.  I just wanted to make sure I knew what test should be done.  Living in a rural community I found some vets have the wait and see approach to things.  So I tend to educate myself and a lot of things get stored in my brain for future reference.  No I haven't read any of her books and was hoping someone could give me an opinion about her approach. I do most research on the internet and now that soccer has started for my daughter books come in handy.

[Carol Brand]

Could your Doodle have SA?