It may not be his thyroid at all, just simply lack of sun light during the winter months.

Now that the weather is good and the days are bright longer you may see some improvement.

My vet suggests giving melatonin from October to April when the days are short and not much sun light.

good luck,
Sue

It may not be his thyroid at all, just simply lack of sun light during the winter months.

Now that the weather is good and the days are bright longer you may see some improvement.

My vet suggests giving melatonin from October to April when the days are short and not much sun light.

good luck,
Sue

I have two shar-pei that are on medsw for Thyroid.  My male is just 3 yo.  He always felt cold to me, and he never wanted to come in off of the deck sunning himself for hours.  His skin felt funny on his underbelly, slick and very smooth, almost velvet-like.  He also gained a tremendous amount of weight too. Was always sleeping too.  His face was very swollen.  They always thought that from being outside alot he was getting bitten by bees, or mosquitos of something like that.  He went on the meds and promptly lost about 25 lbs.  Face is normal now, he is more active also.  Much happier dog.  I asked my vet, because I have thyroid issues too, if I could take his meds after his dramatic weight loss, and he looked at me and said if you only ate what was given to you and only twice a day, yours would work too!!!!!  HAHAHA!!!! Angel, has lost weight too, but her activity level comes in spurts. She is also 9 and 1/2 yo. So what do I expect!  They take 1 pill in the morning and one at nght.  Different dosages though.

I have two shar-pei that are on medsw for Thyroid.  My male is just 3 yo.  He always felt cold to me, and he never wanted to come in off of the deck sunning himself for hours.  His skin felt funny on his underbelly, slick and very smooth, almost velvet-like.  He also gained a tremendous amount of weight too. Was always sleeping too.  His face was very swollen.  They always thought that from being outside alot he was getting bitten by bees, or mosquitos of something like that.  He went on the meds and promptly lost about 25 lbs.  Face is normal now, he is more active also.  Much happier dog.  I asked my vet, because I have thyroid issues too, if I could take his meds after his dramatic weight loss, and he looked at me and said if you only ate what was given to you and only twice a day, yours would work too!!!!!  HAHAHA!!!! Angel, has lost weight too, but her activity level comes in spurts. She is also 9 and 1/2 yo. So what do I expect!  They take 1 pill in the morning and one at nght.  Different dosages though.

Your wisdom is appreciated. I had hoped it wouldn't be a big deal.

Your wisdom is appreciated. I had hoped it wouldn't be a big deal.

A small pill is given twice daily (with his two meals?!!) and its easy to disguise in cream cheese or liverwurst or whatever you like. There may be some adjustment in dose needed after a couple weeks (one more blood test) but they usually get the dose close if not correct the first time. You should see some increase in activity (end of lethargy) and some weight loss (not dramatic but a bit, slowly) and little things perhaps in behavior such as less "need" to seek out heat/warmth. If he's unaltered, you should see increase in number and motility of his sperm, and of course those bald patches will gradually improve as well. If you search the internet for 'signs of canine hypothyroidism' you should get a clearer range of items.

The cost of the Soloxine or whatever brand your vet Rx'd is relatively low...much lower than dry-eye meds, for instance. And yes, the dog remains on this medication for his lifetime.

A small pill is given twice daily (with his two meals?!!) and its easy to disguise in cream cheese or liverwurst or whatever you like. There may be some adjustment in dose needed after a couple weeks (one more blood test) but they usually get the dose close if not correct the first time. You should see some increase in activity (end of lethargy) and some weight loss (not dramatic but a bit, slowly) and little things perhaps in behavior such as less "need" to seek out heat/warmth. If he's unaltered, you should see increase in number and motility of his sperm, and of course those bald patches will gradually improve as well. If you search the internet for 'signs of canine hypothyroidism' you should get a clearer range of items.

The cost of the Soloxine or whatever brand your vet Rx'd is relatively low...much lower than dry-eye meds, for instance. And yes, the dog remains on this medication for his lifetime.