Nutrition Maze, Organic, coat, thyroid problems

My Spring Spaniel Cody (age 7) has a very poor coat. He was recently tested for Cushing’s and Thyroid, which the Cushing was negative and the Thyroid was very low but normal. My vet put him on some low dose thyroid med’s 2x a day. He does have blood test monthly to monitor and his Thyroid level is in the middle range and he does seem better. Gums are pink, he is not panting as much and he is generally seems better.


His coat, the entire saddle is still thin and does not grow, the rest of his coat grows as you would except from a Springer. He is a little over weight 10 lbs perhaps. I have been feeding Cody Wellness Chicken until a year ago when I switched to Taste of the Wild (Duck). After the coat problem started. I know that they are both excellent foods but should he be having something different.

I have tried Emmu oil, Glow Coat and other items. Any suggestions would be great, FYI he is on dry food 2x day only 1 cup. I want him to be healthy and have happy long life, -10 would be great. He does not have food or other allergies, no mite etc.

The food maze is confusing, overwhelming.


My Comment:

I don't know how long he has been receiving his tyroid medicine, but if I understand you right it is not that long.

I that case I would prefer to let him have the medicine a bit longer before changing any thing. If he is slight hypothyroid it can take a long time for some of the symptoms to disappear.

Especially the coat can be thinner for a longer time. I would give it at least 3-4 months before some other reason for his symptoms could be considered – if not better of cause.

I have seen some dogs being hypothyroid also having low vitamin b12 levels in the blood. It might be worthwhile to check vitamin b12 levels and correct them if they are too low.

This is not anything recommended in the teaching books. It is only based on my own experience and might not be a problem in your case at all.

Vitamin B injection is often used in Sweden as a kind of skin tonic.

If a dog loose lot of hair for example, ofte we give injection of a "vitamin b mix". This can sometimes improve the situation.

I guess this is why I am cosidering vitamin b12 in you dog as a possible important factor.

Thank you for your mail and hope he gets better

Per Schonbeck