I picked up Bowdu’s medication today — 0.2 mg of Levothyroxine (Soloxine), to be given twice daily. $24.70 for the first month’s dose of 60 pills, which buys me some time to track down a cheaper source, assuming he’s going to be on it for a longer duration. We’re to return for another blood draw in a month’s time. Given the near-impossibility of the last draw, I’m already looking into options to sedate Bowdu beforehand, though it’s probably not going to be pretty either way.
The numbers on his blood work do look pretty good. Everything falls neatly within the reference ranges. However, his thyroid readings looked like this:
T4
Results: 0.6 (LOW)
Reference Range: 1.0 – 4.0
Units: ug/dLThe Total T4 result is less than 1.0 mcg/dl. A Free-T4 by equilibrium dialysis may be helpful in supporting the diagnosis of hypothyroidism in patients demonstrating clinical signs compatible with hypothyroidism. Please use test code 7589 for this additional testing.
FREE T4 (Equilibrium Dialysis)
Results: 9.0
Reference Range 8 – 40
Units: PMOL/L
So there we have it.
I don’t have any doubts or major concerns about the readings, but I decided I still wanted another evaluation from an outside lab. I had asked for an extra vial of blood, which they pulled and I had kept stored on the condiment shelf of the refrigerator. Today I sent it via USPS Priority Mail to Hemopet/Hemolife. The FedEx receptionist whom I first tried to work with was exceptionally cranky and made me feel like a bioterrorist for not having the sample carefully wrapped by my vet. She seemed too freaked out that my vial of blood was going to spontaneously explode and infect everyone in the room with rabies, and couldn’t give me a clear answer on how to actually mail the damn thing, so I just sent it via USPS as Hemopet had originally recommended.
I ran some more errands, then came back to feed the dogs. As we were getting ready for our daily dog park run, I accidentally locked myself out of the house. How it happened was so ridiculous, I’m not even going into detail… Bowpi was on lead, with me, but Bowdu was stuck inside the house. Luckily, the Doggy Daddy was able to slip out of an evening commitment and reunite the pack, so we still got our daily dog park fill — complete with moonrise.
The House of Two Bows 雙寶之屋 
I am on Levothyroxin 100mcg. I get mine at Walmart, $4.00 for 30 tablets.
Please tell me where this beautiful picture was taken. stunning, especially with a basenji in it.
sure hope all works out well for Bowdu.
Pet Food Direct sells Soloxine 0.2mg tablets for 5 cents a pill: http://www.petfooddirect.com/product/RX205/Soloxine#utm_source=google&utm_medium=cse
Of course, there’s shipping. But we’ve had some meds shipped to us from Pet Food Direct before (they check the scrip with the vet). It’s probably the most economical way to go. I wanted to get started on the supplements right away though. And in a month’s time, after his next blood test, we’ll see if the dosage remains the same.
This was taken at the Cesar E. Chavez Dog Park at the Berkeley Marina. I didn’t get a chance to respond to your other comment/question yet, about where we are, but I think we’re in your general vicinity, given that you also frequent Pt. Isabel, as do we. =)
Berkeley Marina! Never been there. So close. I get past Point Isabel and I get lost big time. That’s great that you also go to Point Isabel.
FYI, there is a Basenji Meet-up this Sunday the 29th, at 11a.m. at Point Isabel. Its once a month (although my friend and I go every Sunday). Last month we had 14 basenji’s there, 2 left early. One of the basenji’s was 7 months old, and he got all the rest of the b’s doing the b-500 (running after him). It was great to watch, and I even got it on video. I’m hoping we have as many this time, but you just never know. In June we had only 7. Three were mine, two belong to my friend, the group leader has one, and one came from Modesto.
If you’re free on Sunday, come on down, bring along your Shiba also (sorry I forgot its name). We meet at the picnic table just to the left of the little cafe there. You can’t miss ALL the basenji’s!
I’m interested to watch if any changes occur in Bowdu, I’m having my male shiba’s thyroid panel tested soon.
Pingback: More thyroid numbers from Hemopet « The House of Two Bows 雙寶之屋