Kota's not eating

I'll be keeping him in my thoughts and hoping he's feeling better soon. 

tashakota

So I hope that this may be a result of him just being sick but the fT4 should tell us right?

I really, really wish it was that simple.  Please read this entire article:  http://rivercitypetwatch.com/files/Diagnostic_dilemma.htm

"A common condition known as compensatory hypothyroidism, or sick euthyroid syndrome (SES), may account for many of the false diagnoses of hypothyroidism. The difference between true hypothyroidism and SES is that in SES, the thyroid gland retains the ability to return to normal function. SES describes the situation in which dogs with normally functioning thyroid glands have decreased thyroid hormone levels with an appropriate cause. Virtually any condition trauma, stress, injury, illness, poor diet can affect thyroid hormone levels and cause SES.

SES is actually a protective mechanism. When the body experiences altered demands and priorities such as illness or stress, the thyroid gland tries to compensate by minimizing energy requirements. Energy is conserved by reducing thyroid hormone secretion. This, in turn, lowers the body's metabolic rate."

Please don't just do a quick thyroid test and send it to a local lab.  It's an extra few dollars, but do the breed-specific thyroid panel either from Dr. Dodds or from Michigan State.  It is SOOOOOOOOO worth the money!!  http://www.hemopet.org -- the forms are on the page for your vet to use and Dr. Dodds is SO great to work with your vets.

 Callie, Kota's a true mix - how can they do a breed specific analysis??

 We're having a full thyroid panel done to check the free T4 and all that.  I should get results either today or tomorrow on that.

Oh Kota, feel better.  I'm hoping that suppliments can take care of his problems.  Give him some belly rubs from me. 

 janet_rose is right; Jessie's T4 was .5 back in April when she was diagnosed with pancreatitis; my vet said that it was because she was sick. Her T4 is normal now because her pancreatitis is under control, so Kota may not be hypothyroid.

 Not hypothyroid!  Yay!  The free T4 test came back normal, so no more meds for the little guy.  :)  Kota says thanks for all the well wishes!

I've been following this and I hope Kota is back to his normal self very soon.  Hooray for good test results!

Yay Kota!!!  I'm so glad to hear that he's doing well.  Give him some rubbies from me.