it turns out he has hypothyroidism! He had another seizure this past Tuesday. I rushed him in for a work up. The initial lab work said his thyroid level was low so they sent it off for a full thryroid function test. It turns out he has hypothyroidism. That would explain allot with his behaviour. He appears anxious at times. I just thought he needed allot of reassurance. Although, I must say, he gets tons of hugs and kisses all the time and is allowed to sit up on the couch and lay on lap during video nights. I couldn't understand why he would act so peculiar at times. We will start him on medication. I'll keep you all posted.
Boomer just got his diagnosis...
- Thread starter Theresa
- Start date
Jeannie
Super Moderator
I went through Samantha being diagnoised with low thyroid this past winter. After about 3 weeks on her medication she was back to her old self once again. Our other girl, Sara, also has low thyroid. I think it is common in Newfies.
Please keep us posted on Boomer's progress
Jeannie
Please keep us posted on Boomer's progress
Jeannie
Thanks everyone
Jeannie, may I ask you what brought the vet the check on your newfies thyroid level? I was just wondering if they were exhibiting any symptoms. Boomer's got the opposite of what I would think a hypothyroid newf would act like. Aside from those two seizures, he has periods of hyperactivity and restlessness. He also appears anxious at times...mostly at night. The vet said that we should see some changes in the next few weeks once we get his levels up. I usually do the health section in our club's health section. I think I will do the next one on hypothyroidism in newfs. I'll keep you all posted on any changes in Boomer.
Khiori
New member
Whoa, glad to hear Boomer had been diagnosed and a regime set up for him. Incidentally, 77% of dogs with seizures also are hypothyroid. Although most vets don't know the current statistics - hypothyroidism is a common reason for lots of problems.
Today the advances in canine epilepsy is making head way by leaps and bounds. lol, everytime (on my canine epi lists) a person comes back with hypothyroidism we have a big party - it can be difficult to diagnois but can get rid of most (if not all) seizures.
Today the advances in canine epilepsy is making head way by leaps and bounds. lol, everytime (on my canine epi lists) a person comes back with hypothyroidism we have a big party - it can be difficult to diagnois but can get rid of most (if not all) seizures.
My first newf was hypothyroid. The original vet that I used to go to would just treat the symptoms. For years. I finally changed vets on the advice of a groomer I would take her to. When we walked into the exam room the first thing the vet said was I bet she is hypothyroid. She was. Unfortunately we didn't find out until the last year of her life. And not knowing to ask about this I never told my previous vet to run the blood panel. I believe hypothyroid is common in newfs but also in a lot of other breeds. I'm sure it is commonly not diagnosed and because the thyroid panel is expensive or at least it used to be I also think a lot of people opt not to do it. Dogs can only be hypothyroid, cats can only be hyperthyroid. And even though Shasta was only on the medication during the last year of her life we were still able to see the newf that I remembered. The medication ended the problems with her ears and the hot spots that she commonly had and we thought were allergy related. Since Shasta, whenever one of my dogs has problem ears, which doesn't hardly ever happen, I start panicking and wondering about their thyroid!! 
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Chuck (Charlotte)
Calypso, Hootie, & Koko
Newf angels Shasta & Haddie
Downers Grove, IL
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Chuck (Charlotte)
Calypso, Hootie, & Koko
Newf angels Shasta & Haddie
Downers Grove, IL
I thought that dogs needed a loading dose before starting their medication regimine for hypothyroidism. Boomer wasn't given a loading dose. So far, so good. He goes in next week for a check up to see how his levels are doing. I wasn't aware of the prevelance of hypothyroidism in dogs. After reading several sites on this, it sounds like many times it goes undiagnosed. He too would get hot spots and dry itchy skin. I couldn't understand it because we use good dog shampoo for them and Malia's skin hasn't had problems, just Boomer. Sometimes after a walk he seems to have a hard time cooling down...even if his walks are in the late evening when it's much cooler.