Prince's Blood Test Results - Page 5

For the record, I'm not in the habit of pulling clinical signs of a medical problem out of my ass just to try and get someone to spend their money at a vet practice; and though it's yet to appear with significant frequency in the working lines of GSDs, hypothyroidism HAS become a common enough problem in the show lines that it is--and SHOULD be--top of mind when someone mentions their dog has been showing an increase in inappropriate aggressive behavior, as that is often the first sign visible before the coat and skin start to go to hell.  Likewise, because the condition has been showing up with greater frequency in the breed, and can interfere with fertility of both dogs and bitches, I will suggest having thyroid function tested if someone complains that they are having problems getting their females settled, or the bitches are having split or skipped heats, or the males seem to be sub-fertile or infertile.  To not acknowledge these very real and well-documented effects of a medical condition that can be heretable plays a role in it becoming more and more established in the breed.  Blood tests hardly qualify as 'invasive' diagnostic tools, so I have to wonder just what the reasoning is for those who find this testing being run on Prince's sample so abhorant or unnecessary...

 

The odds.

The original problem.

History.

LOL...a hunch.

A single thread might have been better.

The odds?  Knowing his pedigree, and the frequency with which dogs of similar breeding have been found to be hypothyroid, the odds are actually pretty good that Prince's thyroid is under producing the necessary hormone as well.  The original problem was well-controlled for a fair length of time, and the present behavior differs significantly from the original problem in that the aggression is being directed to the owner, which was not the case initially. So that covers both the original problem AND history as it pertains to this dog.

And no offense, but I don't have a whole lot of faith in your hunches when it comes to medical conditions.

None taken,
normally I just let mine go until they fall over dead.

We just differ on the aggression issue.

 

Hexe,,Thanks again for your post and for sharing your knowledge,,

Hans,,My vet did not request the blood test. I did. Again, it is a fairly reasonable action IMO considering that he was getting a blood draw for heartworm testing anyway. Furthermore, he has in the past had some symptoms suggesting that he might have a thyroid/autoimmune issue examples include allergy symptoms, anal fistula, skin infection x2 . Also, he was a well socialized puppy who was extremely friendly and sociably, but decided one day he disliked everyone but our immediate family. Now, he has had a temperament change with me and I have decided to send him back to Kelly for a little tune up attitude wise and I feel it is prudent to check to be certain I am not dealing with a medical issue before we come down hard on his attitude issue,,,
 

Again, I have tried to stay out of these threads, but since I actually know Deanna, and Prince, I'm going to speak up. Especially considering the way this board has reacted to her issues with Prince in the past and the negative impact it had on her interaction with him.

My gut tells me this is behavioral, yes. Is it possible a health issue is contributing the problems? Of course it's possible, anything is. Deanna is driving her dog from Ohio to Chicago for training, why would sensible person doing that not want to eliminate any and all other possible causes, even if they appear unlikely? Who exactly is it hurting?

And excuse me, but "poor dog" my foot. Pity dogs who are dumped in shelters or put down because their owner doesn't care to work on their issues. Pity dogs who live their whole life in a crate or on a chain and never get a day of training. Pity dogs who get attacked by dogs whose owners are too ignorant to admit their dog has an issue and let them roam free.

Certainly do not pity Prince, who has an owner who loves him as family and is willing to go to extreme measures to not only ensure she is happy with her dog, but to ensure Prince is well mannered, happy and healthy.

[stands up and applauds]

Great post, Vonisengard!

[stands up and applauds]

Great post, Vonisengard!

 Vonisengard. As I've already said, some would rather put a gun to a dog's head than spend .10 on a vet bill. Dog dies, no worry, just go and get another.Deanna would be a person I would love to see with one of my dogs if I were a breeder.