[gemy]

Dear Dr Dodds;



I hope that reception will forward this missive onto you. I have looked at your thyroidism article and the associated risks with a low thyroid level. I am particularly curious about what study(s) support that association.
Any weakening of ligaments and tendons can precipitate CCL rupture and tear – hypothyroidism is one such systemic disorders, as is obesity. ( see our new book (Attached) to be published in early Jan 2015. Also,

Byers, C.G., Wilson, C.C., Stephens, M.B., Goodie, J., Netting, F.E. & Olsen, C.
(2011, April). Obesity in Dogs, Part 1: Exploring the Causes and Consequences
of Canine Obesity. DVM 360Magazine. Retrieved from http://veterinarymedicine.
dvm360.com/vetmed/Nutrition/Exploring-the-causes-and-consequences-of-canineob/
ArticleStandard/Article/detail/715423.

German, A.J. (2006). The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. Journal of
Nutrition, 136(7), 1940S-1946S.

I am also curious if you do have low thyroid levels would thyroid treatment be appropriate as a puppy/young dog to help avoid ligamentous rupture? Yes.



In any case, the situation I am now faced with, in an intact Yorkshire Terrier of 6yrs old, who did indeed have an expanded T4 panel done, has now torn his cruciate, and one board certified surgeon is recommending surgery for the repair of same. I go this Wednesday for a second opinion. As further history his regular T4’s over 3 or so blood panels over the years have been low, but I only did the expanded T4 panel once. He is an active Yorkie, certainly not obese at 3.2 kg, and loves to swim and dock dive. He was not ddx’d with LP over the years, although now he is according to the surgeon is at a 2+.



If you can bear with me for one more question. Non surgical options, are there any? See attached article. I am concerned with reports that if one CCL goes so will the other, and that despite surgery arthritis will still occur, just slower than if no surgery is done. You can give ASU (avocado-soybean unsaponifiables) at 10 mg /kg body weight.

Boileau, C., Martel-Pelletier, J., Caron, J., Msika, P., Guillou, G.B., Baudouin, C. &
Pelletier, J.P. (2009). Protective effects of total fraction of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables
on the structural changes in experimental dog osteoarthritis: Inhibition of
nitric oxide synthase and matrix metalloproteinase-13. Arthritis Research & Therapy,
11(2), R41.

Laflamme, D.P. (2004). Osteoarthritis and diet: Joined at the hip. Nestle Purina
Clinical Edge, 10-12.

Laflamme, D.P. (2012). Nutritional care for aging cats and dogs. Veterinary Clinics of
North America: Small Animal Practice, 42(4), 769-791.



I appreciate your time and attention to my questions



Most Sincerely



Gail E McLarnon - Toronto, Ontario, Canada