On one of our vet runs to have Elsa’s nails cut, the vet did some blood work too.
“It is as I expected,” he said, “She is hypothyroid.”
And so our little rescue dog must have been exhibiting signs of this hormone imbalance which tends to make humans lethargic and prone to weight gain. Elsa is a bit on the roly-poly side for sure.
In addition, in the olden days people used to describe women with thyroid problems as “hysterical.”
That could describe Elsa too.
She is at least paranoid if not hysterical. And now that I know she is hypothyroid I would definitely say she was/is hysterical.
She breaks out in shakes and shivers from unknown unseen dangers. I used to blame it all on her maybe being abused in her previous lives with other not so nice people.
She has severe separation anxiety.
She will not touch dog toys and doesn’t know how to play.
And she is not only food driven but is food protective.
Now Elsa is on thyroid pills twice a day. The vet says it will probably help her lose weight too.
We already notice a new dog in Elsa’s body. She runs more and wants to stay outside more in spite of snow and ice.
The other stuff remains the same and we return to the vet mid February to assess progress.
A hysterical dog may be just like a hysterical woman.
Who knew?
Virginia Views 
Glad her treatment will improve her energy levels. I’m sure she’ll feel better overall, sweet girl.
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Who knew indeed! But dogs seem to get most of the medical problems we humans do. Glad she is doing better! You are good to keep her even if she is/was hysterical.
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Wonderfully amazing that it can be so easily fixed once it is properly diagnosed. It is the same amazing result with some people too
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Hugs for Elsa!
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Amazingly I have seen the same wonderful result in human patients with the proper medication!
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Oh my. That poor little dog has endured much in her short life. Let’s hope this medication helps her
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Poor Elsa! I’m glad the vet found something to correct and hope it will continue to help her.
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Oh, poor Elsa. But now there’s some explanation for her behavior. Hope she keeps improving!
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Wow a friend near me rescued a hound type dog same thing droopy eye have now perked up and he is happy feeling more like he should hope your girl does too.
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She is still on the odd side but seemingly much happier than before the meds.
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Yes, we are witnessing a doggie transformation from a lazy couch potato to a running dynamo. Amazing is the right word.
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And may the meds continue to inspire her to action. She is definitely moving more and seems much happier. Going to the vet this month to see if meds are working or if it is just out imagination.
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You are right about the poor little critter Judith… she is still such a puzzlement because she doesn’t do anything expected of a well adjusted doggie. The progress we have made is mostly in earning her trust. She used to snap at me if I touched her bed but now she allows me to move it. If something fell on the floor she would race to get it first and then own it. Now she stays away even if it is food that falls and allows me to pick it up. I call these huge gains in trust and I am so proud of her. But then there are still the down times when her beleaguered past still haunts her.
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Ditto Anne and thank you!
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She is making huge gains Cindy and we are so proud of her. But then there are the setbacks. We fervently hope the meds will work too.
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Thanks Eunice. Elsa certainly deserves to find happiness and that’s what we want for her. The meds are really making a difference or is it that she loves the snow? Either way, she is loving to go out and run for no apparent reason – just for the joy of running.
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Either way it’s a win!
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AWESOME NEWS xoxox
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