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Sebhorrhea/Oily, Itchy, Smelly Coat/Autoimmune Thyroiditis

1K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  vrmueller 
#1 ·
I am looking for some input, help and guidance for Brisby's best friend who is an 8.5 year old GR ( female/spayed)

I have searched the forum to try to find other threads on this subject, however came out void.

We have known this GR for more than 3 years. We do a lot of hiking, swimming and hike pretty much everyday all year long:

https://www.facebook.com/brisby.golden

Ever since we have known Lexi, she has always had an oily, smelly skin which has recently become worse, which is unusual at this time of year as it usually flares up much more in the summer months when our dogs are continually swimming.

What is unfortunate is, that her owner shaves her GR down every summer ( to keep her cool according to her) and I suspect she has totally ruined her coat/undercoat, however that aside....

Lexi also is almost blind which began suddenly almost 1.5 years ago. ( related or not...I don't know) ...SARDS, PRA...don't know. My friend could not afford to get further testing done to determine the cause...she has no insurance and is on disability for MS.

My friend is not a member here and I am putting out a plea for all of your advice on what she can or could do to help her Lexi.

She has migrated her to a raw and balance complete diet. She knows that Lexi has a sensitivity to chicken, therefore that has been removed from her diet.

Her vet has told her that Lexi has sebhorrhea and has recommended bathing with specific shampoos.

My questions are these in attempt to help my friend :

  • have any of you had any experience in treating this?...if so how with minimal veterinary care/meds?
  • there seems there might be a correlation to oily sebhorrheic dermatitis and the thyroid (Autoimmune Thyroiditis)
From what I have read, the only definitive test would be to send a blood sample to homopet/Dr Dodds for analysis if the thyroid indeed in contributory or the cause of this skin manifest. Would you deem this essential or??

Have any of you had any experience with navigating this and finding either resolution or relief for your dog in similar circumstance? ...with limited means?

I adore this wonderful golden girl and am trying to find the best way to help her.

Any and all input is most welcome and appreciated.
 
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#2 ·
The description you have offered of Lexi's coat is what my girl Gracie, as well as several other female dogs which I have had, experienced. All were diagnosed with hypothyroidism and following treatment with thyroid medications their skin and coats returned to normal. The cost of thyroid medication is quite inexpensive (less than $10 a month) and the cost of the bloodwork to diagnose the condition runs less than $100. If Lexi was my dog I would have her thyroid function tested.
 
#3 ·
Thank you so much for your response.

May I ask where/how you had the bloodwork tested.

My understanding is that not all blood work is conclusive and specifically with what may be normal for many other breeds is not the same for our Goldens.for thyroid.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Sorry for the delay in responding, just seeing your question tonight. If it was my dog I would ask my vet to run a T4 baseline thyroid test. From there the vet should be able to determine what, if any, additional testing that may be needed. Golden retrievers are one of several breeds which are prone to hypothryroidism so a competent vet should be able to diagnose it easily if it is present in your friend's dog.
Also, because you had said that the cost of tests/meds was a concern for your friend I looked up the cost of Gracie's last T4 baseline test. It was $60. Her medications are $8 a month. I hope this info helps.
 
#5 ·
Ruby was dx with autoimmune thyroiditis almost 7 years ago through Dr. Dodds. She began Soloxine right away and is still on a low dose. She suffers from many allergies and she is bathed once a week with Mikrotek shampoo. She smells good for one day and then wreaks. She is also on a raw diet and I supplement with turmeric paste, vitamin C and Omega.
 
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