Hints From Heloise

Dear Heloise: My beautiful cocker spaniel, Honey, will soon be 14 years old. I took her to the veterinarian because she was having difficulty getting up, was limping and had some cysts on her body. I feared she had some incurable disease or a hip disorder, and I was expecting the worst news.

The first thing the veterinarian did was give her a blood test to check her thyroid. Sure enough, she did have a low thyroid. She was given pills (very cheap, $5 or $6 for around 60 pills).

I am thrilled. I had feared she might have to be euthanized. Now, five months later, she’s doing great! She’s lost weight, walks without limping and gets up pretty quick for an old lady. Now I know she’s feeling good and may have a few more good years.

Please tell your readers who have an older dogs to not give up on them. They may have a curable problem that can be detected by a simple blood test. - Tom Averna, Deer Harbor, Wash.