Thyrosyn, also called Sodium Levothyroxine, manufactured by Vedco Inc., is a veterinary-prescribed thyroid replacement therapy for dogs with hypothyroidism, according to Drugs.com. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include hair loss or dull coat, excessive shedding, ear infections, weight gain, as well as decreased activity and ability to tolerate cold temperatures, according to the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
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Dosage
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Your veterinarian will perform blood tests on your pet to determine its thyroid hormone levels before prescribing Thyrosyn. Initially, your vet will prescribe two doses of 0.1 mg per 10 lbs of your dog's body weight, according to Drugs.com. Afterward, you'll bring your pet back to your veterinarian every four weeks so he can monitor your dog's thyroid levels and adjust the dosage accordingly until she determines the correct long-term dosage.
Tablets
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Veterinarians prescribe Thyrosyn in tablet form. Tablets come in different colors, indicating the dosage, in bottles of 180 or 1,000. Yellow tablets are .1 mg each; red are .2 mg; green are .3 mg; maroon are .4 mg; white are .5 mg; purple are .6 mg; orange are .7 mg; and blue are .8 mg, according to Drugs.com. Even though you'll typically administer Thyrosyn twice per day, your vet may be able to decrease the dosage to only once per day when your dog's fur begins growing back, says the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine website.
Warnings and Results
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Consult your veterinarian if your dog is pregnant, or has hypertension or heart disease to determine whether Thyrosyn is the best thyroid medication for your pet, according to the Vedco Inc. website. Beginnings of fur regrowth usually take four to six weeks. Owners of dogs with ear infections as a result of the low-thyroid condition should treat the ears with prescription ear drops, ear wash and oral antibiotics.
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