Why is my dog panting and lethargic after starting thyroid medication?

I recommend to have Tommy’s thyroid level rechecked. These are not normal signs from the medication and could inidicate that the thyroid level is now too high or it could be unrelated. That’s why you need to know what his levels are while on the medication. Have the blood sample drawn 4-6 hours after he takes the medication. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Panting is not a common sign in dogs taking medication for hypothyroidism. However, I did a little digging through some veterinary databases and found some reports of dogs panting excessively with different brands/dyes in the levothyroxine medication. Panting can be a sign that Bobbie's levothyroxine dose is too high, or could be a sign of other conditions, such as heart disease, pain or anxiety. Regardless, I recommend taking her to the vet for further evaluation. They may want to recheck her thyroid blood tests to check her current levels and will want to examine her to check for other problems. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

I’m sorry to hear that Chloe isn’t feeling herself. Is it possible that she received a Double dose of her thyroid medication this morning? Over medication with thyroid medication can cause these symptoms. Otherwise those can all be symptoms of discomfort. If her behavior continues then I would encourage you to have her evaluated by a veterinarian soon. Sometimes abdominal pain or back pain can cause those symptoms and can be hard to identify without an examination. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would have his thyroid rechecked soon. Schedule an appointment to have his T4 rechecked 4-6 hours after the pill is given. The dose may be too high causing hyperthyroid signs. Signs of too much thyroid hormone is increased thirst, urination, hunger, increased activity, weight loss. I wish you both the best!

We are not in a position to prescribe medication for your pet. The results you show here are not showing enough proof for the need for thyroid medications unless she is showing very clear symptoms in which case a free t4 ft4 test should be completed. I recommend repeating in 4-6weeks to track changes. I would be more concerned about her elevated bun and creatinine which may indicate kidney disease and should be investigated with urine tests by your vet to determine the concentrating ability of the kidneys

It may take a little longer than two weeks to get his thyroid levels up. It looks like Butter is still dealing with skin inflammation and possible infection. Usually dogs will come back about two weeks after starting thyroid medication to check the blood levels. I advise to schedule that appointment and have them check the skin as well. In the mean time, you can wash the affected areas once daily with hand soap and rinse well. Make sure he is not licking the lesions as he will make it worse. An elizabethan collar will help prevent this. If he continues to have skin issues and his thyroid levels are good, it is possible that underlying allergies could also be affecting him. I hope this is helpful. Please feel free to post any additional questions.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Juke. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian. She may be experiencing pain in her anal glands, difficulty defecating or a urinary tract infection. Hypothyroidism and the corresponding medications do not typically cause anxiety. If her dosage is too high, it can create hyperactivity though. I hope this information helps!