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All her tests have come back negative.

What "tests" were they?

And if you do go for thyroid tests, arrange for the bloods to be sent to, tested and analysed by Dr. Jean Dodds in the USA. Recently some tests were done over there and these showed up low thyroid. The owner had some tests run here and they showed up 'normal'. The owner also showed the USA test results to an Aussie Vet who at first considered them to be 'normal' by Aussie standards (if I remember rightly, the Vet has since had a change of mind). The owner's dog also seems to be improving from the medication albeit that it is only early days yet.

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They checked her thyroid, but i'll get new bloods done someplace else. I stick with this vet because they let me pay my bills off over time, but maybe it's time to change. I asked if they'd sent blood overseas and was told they won't do it.

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What other 'tests' did they do, though ..... I presume they checked for potential damage when she hit her head? If they didn't, what did they say about it when you told them, and do they have a reason why they have thought to not go that route?

Don't understand why they'd say they wouldn't send bloods to OS. They draw the bloods, give them to you (or hold them at their clinic if they'd prefer), you arrange for international courier to have them taken and sent to Dr. Dodds. The most complicated part about it all from your point of view is the paperwork that's necessary for the international courier and customs. The most complicated part from your Vet's point of view is knowing what tests are required - Dr. Dodd's information on this (all information is downloadable from her website) tells them the info they need.

:confused:

But if the aggressive behaviour began pretty much directly after she hit her head, I'd be focussing on that - at least to rule it out as a reason.

It bothers me that you say she is aggressive and then looks horrified at having been aggressive and I'm wondering about the possibility of some sort of epilepsy. But hey - unless we're there and we can see her it is a bigger guessing game than it would be even if we could see her, and we could be throwing up endless ideas and possibilities until the cows come home. The only good that would do would be to have your head go into a spin.

So my next step (if it were me) would be to have her head AND neck checked (xrayed, and/or whatever it is they do with heads) and clear that. THEN I'd look at getting bloods done for thyroid, through Dr. Jean Dodds.

Edited by Erny
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I took her in as soon as my dad told me she hit her head, because she'd cut her eyebrow open. They press tested for breaks and that was it. I've mentioned to them that the aggression started that day, in their very waiting room, but they went concerned until she started attacking our other dog. But no other testing was done on her head, just thyroid, addisons and urinary tests done.

I het the feeling the surgurey I'm using isn't keeping up to date with the vet world, I got odd looks asking about titre testing awhile ago.

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I took her in as soon as my dad told me she hit her head, because she'd cut her eyebrow open. They press tested for breaks and that was it. I've mentioned to them that the aggression started that day, in their very waiting room, but they went concerned until she started attacking our other dog. But no other testing was done on her head, just thyroid, addisons and urinary tests done.

I het the feeling the surgurey I'm using isn't keeping up to date with the vet world, I got odd looks asking about titre testing awhile ago.

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I took her in as soon as my dad told me she hit her head, because she'd cut her eyebrow open. They press tested for breaks and that was it. I've mentioned to them that the aggression started that day, in their very waiting room, but they went concerned until she started attacking our other dog. But no other testing was done on her head, just thyroid, addisons and urinary tests done.

I het the feeling the surgurey I'm using isn't keeping up to date with the vet world, I got odd looks asking about titre testing awhile ago.

And you've mentioned this again to them? IE That the aggression is ever since she hit her head? And they're ignoring that? If that's the case, I'd not be happy. It might not be the cause, but it isn't something that should be overlooked or dismissed out of hand, IMO.

Edited by Erny
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I won't hesitate to recommend you see another vet. Everything Erny has said has been correct, IMHO. Look into the possibility of brain injury first.

In the meantime, crate and rotate. Keep your dogs separated unless they are actively doing something that they know well and you are there to supervise, even then keep a keen eye out.

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Panda Girl, I completely understand that you may be sticking with this particular vet for financial reasons but to be honest, they sound somewhat useless and not willing to delve a little further and suggest an MRI or other type of scan to see if there is any injury to the brain or neck that could be posing the problem.

Aggression doesn't develop for no reason. Any good Vet worth their weight would surely know this and take this into consideration.

I would look for another vet pronto.

I would also definitely consider doing the Thyroid tests that Erny suggested via Jean Dodds in America. There is no point running another lot of 'tests' for thyroid here in Australia as they are likely to use the same laboratory in your state, therefore there would be no difference in result. We are extremely backward in our testing range here in Oz for these types of things. If you are not sure how to go about this, PM me and I can help you through the steps. It's not a difficult process at all.

I trust you will make the right decision here PG for the sake of your dogs and your sanity.

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SNT, I'm in Darwin, well, Palmerston, but I use a rural vet.

How do I go about finding a more modern vet? Nobody I know uses a regular vet, just whoever is cheapest at the time. I guess I need to make some phone calls.

Erny, I've mentioned the aggression and how it started on that day every time I've had her there since it happened. It's even written on her file now *shrugs* I just figured I was overreacting about it because that's what everyone around said.

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I have been reading this thread from the start and I just figured a thyroid problem would be found. Would you be able to post her blood results here for her free TSH ?

Poor dog and poor you I feel for you.

Erny is right they can give you the bloods but if you can't manage that financially then there isn't much point.

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It might be quicker and cheaper to do a phone consult with a veterinary behaviourist who is licensed to practice in NT. They will zero in on the problem much faster and will be able to tell your regular vet which tests to run and how to run them.

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My boss says to contact DrSteven Cutter @ The Ark Vet, he has a couple of locations so you will probably need to leave a message. If you can explain your girls peoblems to Lisa one of the nurses there she may be able to advise.

If Steven thinks it is out of his area of expertise he will def let you know, but he also has contacts in Qld in regards to Specialists.

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My boss says to contact DrSteven Cutter @ The Ark Vet, he has a couple of locations so you will probably need to leave a message. If you can explain your girls peoblems to Lisa one of the nurses there she may be able to advise.

If Steven thinks it is out of his area of expertise he will def let you know, but he also has contacts in Qld in regards to Specialists.

Thanks a heap, they're near-by. Will call ASAP!

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