i had my dog tested and she needed to be put on thyroid med . i just had her breed shes a english bull , she absorbed her last 2 litters around 5 weeks . this board gave good advice and said have her tested , is it safe to keep her on it all the time . i will be having her progesterone level test done if pups are there , ive been reading a bit and should put her on med if her levels fall below 5 my question is has anyone had this trouble like me .
any help is great
lisaszoo in louisiana

Hi Lisa,
Thyroid medicine is one of the lower costing and longer tested meds around... for humans and dogs. It's something that will cause a dog no harm to take for the rest of its life, provided that it doesn't cause the levels to rise above normal.

Samm was put on the medicine last October due to borderline levels that were declining in the last several years. The dr. told me what to look for if the level became too much. Basically, she would start roaming around, panting more, unable to settle down.... similar to a person overstimulated on caffeine.

She's been fine. Her hair is thicker than it was (not that it ever did thin out)... gleams, her muscle tone is excellent, and she regained her lost 'spark'.
We have a scheduled appointment for Feb. for the dr. to retest her thyroid level (as directed by him) and probably will decide to continue the medicine.

This is a base guide for what your vet should do...
As for with puppies, I don't know what the medicine will do to them. If things are left the way they are, she is likely to reabsorb them again. So whatever the dr decides might be the best option.
good luck,
toodles

i was taking thyroxin (for humans!!!! so dont apply to dog as i aint a vet! lol) and stopped taking it when i found out i was pregnant as in the pregnancy book emmas diary it said dont take any medication untill consulting your doctor. so i made an appointment and he went off his head and said i could have caused a misscarriage by stopping taking the thyroxin tablets.!!!!
he then took a bloodtest off me and consequently found out i shouldnt have been on it in the first place!
needless to say i changed doctor after the event but please consult your vet before doing anything and ask for any literature on the matter if you are confused
see you
china

I've replied to this query earlier on - at length.

The bottom line is that early onset hypothyroidism is probably hereditary, and if she maintains a pregnancy (many don't) you must forewarn you puppy people that their puppy may inherit it.

Late onset hypothyroidism is often assosciated with a generally running down of the hormones, which are all interlinked. This often occurs around the menopause in women, and is often mis-diagnosed. It is less likely to be hereditary.

I suffer from it myself, and the treatment for humans and dogs both is life-long.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

I was just thinking that Jo.
It is hereditary isint it? I was always told if the dog has thyroid
problems they should not breed the dog/bitch.
Nutkin

Thing is, if it's late onset - say 6 years onwards - you've probably bred anyhow if the bitch was up to standard.
Certainly sholdn't breed if it's early onset. Ideally, any hypothyroid dogs should be shown on the pedigree, but never are!
I have been bred from myself, as my three sons will testify, but then I wasn't diagnosed until I was 50!! :-)

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Yes thats true. Lots of dogs have it when older.
I suppose even the best breeder is going to come
across something or other it a lifetime, later down
the line. At least if you try to get it right in the first
place that must count for something.
Nutkin