I am trying to find information on how these tests are taken, do they come back through the blood tests as a level, as would a hip score rating, and  would there be a point when the levels are to high to be bred from.  I know it can be controlled, with thyroxin, but would it be wrong to put this dog into a breeding plan

I beleive that a dog that has thyriod problems can become larthargic and have an excessive coat, can anyone fill me in on the problems. What are the outer tell tall signs for recognising it. We had it a  quite few year ago in Tibetan Mastiff's and it just faded away, breeder were testing for it, then people stopped doing the tests, and the problem did not exist in the breed any longer. Could this be hereditory,? Also is it a problem that would just show it's head in old age,  can it be a life time condition.

Thanks

Lynn

Hypo-thyroidism is hereditory and can show up at a young age or not until middle age.  If you suspect that the dog is hypo-t then it should be tested and if proved not bred from.  Some of the signs are lethargy, poor coat, flaking skin, corneal ulcers, fear and aggression.  You need to have a full panel done and this is done by a blood test and the levels should be within a range - different with each lab used apparently.  If the levels are low the dog would be hypO-thyroid but if high would be hyPER-thyroid which is not common in dogs.  I have 2 hypo-t dogs each presented different symptoms but having got one was on the ball for the second one and caught her at an earlier stage although the vet was not convinced!  Once diagnosed the dog will be on medication for the rest of its life. 

If you type hypo-thyroid into google you should come up with some good sites any  by Jean Dodds should be read.

Hope this helps

Sue

Hi Jean Dodds site is the link below, a lot of people in UK send bloods to be tested at her lab for thyroid disease :)

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/default.htm

Thank you for you reply's

Lynn