Get Advice from a Vet

ASK A VET
Veterinarian, DVM, MBA
Get free advice on diet, health, fitness, and wellness questions within 3 business days via email.

Ask the Vet About Hypothyroidism

Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Back to results
Enter Your Information All fields are required

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

*Please note: Questions submitted and the answers will appear on our website as a benefit to all pet owners. Please make sure not to include any personal information in the box where you enter your question.

Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Thank you! Your question has been submitted.

You will receive an answer from Dr. Lindsay and our vet/tech team as soon as possible, usually the same day.

All answers are provided for informational or educational purposes only, and are intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your pet's veterinarian.

It may be necessary to consult your pet's veterinarian regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your pet's symptoms or medical condition.

Close
Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Oops! Your question has not been submitted.

An error has occurred, please reload the page and try again.

Close
Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Got questions? Ask Dr. Lindsay & our Vet Team:

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

Do these answer your question?
Showing of | See All
Have another question, or can’t find your answer?
Submit your question
We're Sorry!

There is no answer related to your question

Can’t find your answer?
Submit your question
Category
Back
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Ask the Vet

Got questions? Ask Dr. Lindsay & our Vet Team

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

Submit Your Question
Showing 1 - 15 of 99
Page 1 of 7
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
01
DateJun 30, 2023
CategoryHypothyroidism
Pet TypeCat
TopicIn heat
vet-qa-signature
Question:

What can I do when my cat is in heat

Answer:

Hey! There is not alot you can do but wait. Then you should spay your cat if you are not breeding her because she will keep going into heat. I hope this helped! Dr. Lindsay Butzer I made an entertaining video on why cats howl when in heat here it is below to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvaib54GGXc&t=38s

02
DateSep 14, 2021
CategoryHypothyroidism
Pet TypeDog
TopicTempoary alternative meication
vet-qa-signature
Question:

Can you please tell me what over the counter product you woud recomend for hypothyroidism my vet moved away and left me with no refills for my dog I can not get my dog in to see another vet for 2 months ? She currently takes levothyroxine

Answer:

I'm sorry to say that there are no over-the-counter products that really help hypothyroidism. Whoever wrote our article about hypothyroidism states: "Some dogs benefit from homeopathic remedies for hypothyroid disease, which can include kelp and seaweeds because they are natural sources of iodine. Alfalfa, parsley, fennel, oats, the B Vitamins, Vitamin A—especially from cod liver oil—and Vitamin C can be helpful. If the immune system is sluggish, pets benefit from Omega fatty acids such as Super Pure Omega 3." But these should not be used to replace the primary medication, which would be "levothyroxine".

03
DateAug 26, 2021
CategoryHypothyroidism
Pet TypeOther
TopicThyrosin vs thyro-tabs
vet-qa-signature
Question:

Our dog has been prescribed Thyrosin .3mg for hypothyroidism. I have found thyro-tabs cost much less. Other than the price, Is there a difference between the two medications?

Answer:

Check the active ingredient - if it is "Levothyroxine", which it should be, they are the same if the milligram is the same.

04
DateApr 28, 2021
CategoryHypothyroidism
Pet Typenull
TopicThyro-Tab Dosing
vet-qa-signature
Question:

Good afternoon, we recently filled our dogs prescription through 1-800-PetMeds for Thyro-Tabs. I am concerned about the dosing of the medication and wanted to get advice. Our dog weighs 80lb and was given Thyro-Tab 0.7mg twice daily (1.4mg/day). From my understanding of the package insert, the dose should be initiated at 0.1 mg/10 lb per day. After less than a week of being on the higher dose, he is exhibiting symptoms that I feel are related to the high dose- panting, excessive urination, excessive thirst, rapid heart rate. Could you please let me know your thoughts on this dosage? Thank you!

Answer:

From our website: "The usual dose in dogs is 0.1 mg per 10 lbs of body weight given TWICE a day" so he is getting slightly LESS than his actual dosage, which is where we often start them but it depends on his bloodwork and symptoms so consult your veterinarian for the best advice about his dosage because s/he has access to all of that information. BUT, if he continues with those symptoms, all dogs are individuals and have different severity of disease, so he may need a lower dosage.

05
DateMar 13, 2021
CategoryHypothyroidism
Pet TypeCat
TopicMedicine
vet-qa-signature
Question:

How to know if my dogs on too much medicine. Until I can get him to the vet

Answer:

If he is taking medication for hypothyroidism: You can't really tell without a blood test, but in general, they will lose weight very rapidly and pant excessively if the dosage is a little too high.

06
DateMar 13, 2021
CategoryHypothyroidism
Pet Typenull
TopicMedicine
vet-qa-signature
Question:

How to know if my dogs on too much medicine. Until I can get him to the vet

Answer:

If he is taking medication for hypothyroidism: You can't really tell without a blood test, but in general, they will lose weight very rapidly and pant excessively if the dosage is a little too high.

07
DateJan 21, 2021
CategoryHypothyroidism
Pet TypeDog
TopicCat methimazole t4 too low on. Methamazole
vet-qa-signature
Question:

11 year old Cat's t4 level has dropped to .04 from 11.4 on 5mg methamazole 2x daily over past year & she's started loosing weight recently. Vet suggests cutting methamazole dosage to 2.5 2x daily. Retest in 3 weeks. My thought is stop dosage for 3 weeks. Thoughts?

Answer:

Oh no, if she was definitively diagnosed as hyperthyroid to begin with, you would not want to stop it abruptly like that. I would really need to see all of her bloodwork to properly advise you though so your veterinarian is the best one to discuss that with.

08
DateJan 21, 2021
CategoryHypothyroidism
Pet Typenull
TopicCat methimazole t4 too low on. Methamazole
vet-qa-signature
Question:

11 year old Cat's t4 level has dropped to .04 from 11.4 on 5mg methamazole 2x daily over past year & she's started loosing weight recently. Vet suggests cutting methamazole dosage to 2.5 2x daily. Retest in 3 weeks. My thought is stop dosage for 3 weeks. Thoughts?

Answer:

Oh no, if she was definitively diagnosed as hyperthyroid to begin with, you would not want to stop it abruptly like that. I would really need to see all of her bloodwork to properly advise you though so your veterinarian is the best one to discuss that with.

09
DateOct 22, 2020
CategoryHypothyroidism
Pet TypeCat
TopicGetting meds
vet-qa-signature
Question:

Do I need to have my pet checked for refills on this medication ? I am out and she is already starting to have skin issues, plus I am disabled and have little money to get her and my male checked. If you are a vet and know how serious this is for her can you not write it?

Answer:

No, legally in veterinary medicine, a face-to-face meeting has to occur to be able to write a prescription. Call or email the veterinarian that saw her last and let them know your financial constraints and see if they can work with you.

010
DateOct 22, 2020
CategoryHypothyroidism
Pet TypeCat
TopicGetting meds
vet-qa-signature
Question:

Do I need to have my pet checked for refills on this medication ? I am out and she is already starting to have skin issues, plus I am disabled and have little money to get her and my male checked. If you are a vet and know how serious this is for her can you not write it?

Answer:

No, legally in veterinary medicine, a face-to-face meeting has to occur to be able to write a prescription. Call or email the veterinarian that saw her last and let them know your financial constraints and see if they can work with you.

011
DateOct 22, 2020
CategoryHypothyroidism
Pet Typenull
TopicGetting meds
vet-qa-signature
Question:

Do I need to have my pet checked for refills on this medication ? I am out and she is already starting to have skin issues, plus I am disabled and have little money to get her and my male checked. If you are a vet and know how serious this is for her can you not write it?

Answer:

No, legally in veterinary medicine, a face-to-face meeting has to occur to be able to write a prescription. Call or email the veterinarian that saw her last and let them know your financial constraints and see if they can work with you.

012
DateOct 9, 2020
CategoryHypothyroidism
Pet TypeCat
TopicMedicine concern
vet-qa-signature
Question:

My dog is on dexamethasone, she also has an under active thyroid which she takes medicine for. I was told that dexamethasone could interfere with thyroid test results. My question is, can dexamethasone interfere with the thyroid function? Is it possible for her thyroid to become over active with even being on her thyroid medication?

Answer:

It really depends on the dosage and how much your dog weighs. In general, at a relatively low dosage, it won't affect the thyroid - it will affect the adrenal gland and testing associated with the adrenal gland

013
DateOct 9, 2020
CategoryHypothyroidism
Pet TypeCat
TopicMedicine concern
vet-qa-signature
Question:

My dog is on dexamethasone, she also has an under active thyroid which she takes medicine for. I was told that dexamethasone could interfere with thyroid test results. My question is, can dexamethasone interfere with the thyroid function? Is it possible for her thyroid to become over active with even being on her thyroid medication?

Answer:

It really depends on the dosage and how much your dog weighs. In general, at a relatively low dosage, it won't affect the thyroid - it will affect the adrenal gland and testing associated with the adrenal gland

014
DateOct 9, 2020
CategoryHypothyroidism
Pet Typenull
TopicMedicine concern
vet-qa-signature
Question:

My dog is on dexamethasone, she also has an under active thyroid which she takes medicine for. I was told that dexamethasone could interfere with thyroid test results. My question is, can dexamethasone interfere with the thyroid function? Is it possible for her thyroid to become over active with even being on her thyroid medication?

Answer:

It really depends on the dosage and how much your dog weighs. In general, at a relatively low dosage, it won't affect the thyroid - it will affect the adrenal gland and testing associated with the adrenal gland

015
DateMay 7, 2020
CategoryHypothyroidism
Pet TypeDog
TopicMedication
vet-qa-signature
Question:

I have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, 8 yrs.old, female and she has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and prescribed 0.3 mg of levothyroxine twice a day. She drinks a lot of water (always has) and weighs about 20 lbs. very active and eats well. Never been overweight. Do I give her a morning pill and wait for a half an hour to feed her like humans and if I give her the second pill at evening, do I give it to her about a half an hour after her meal time or with a meal? She has a skin disease which started this process and I have medicated shampoo for her to be bathed in. She has been on medication for 2 months now and I was not told when to give her the medication, but assumed it was like my thyroid situation but I only take a morning pill. Need clarification please. Thank you.

Answer:

With or without food doesn't seem to matter for them with thyroid medication - you can check with the manufacturer of your specific brand to be 100% sure.

Page 1 of 7
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
1 - 15 of 99 Answers