Thyroid conditions and aggression.....

[ACO]

So about a month ago I noticed that my Saint Bernard was abnormally grumpy with the cats and the other dog in the house. She's four and a half now and I just attributed it to the fact that she wasn't a puppy anymore and didn't appreciate the cats charging by while she was sleeping and my two and a half year old pupp constantly pestering her to play. (things that never bothered her before)

In the last few days she gets grumbly when I squeeze and hug her.

Everything about her is completely normal....her weight is perfect, her activity is normal....for a Saintie, her coat is great....but after doing some research she might be shedding a little more than usual but then it is springtime......

The only thing that's any different is this on-set of grumpyness.....

I got on the internet and began searching....turns out that moodyness and aggression (even so far as to bite) has been a symptom of thyroid dysfunction in an otherwise symptom free dog....

Makes you wonder how many pets are euthanised for aggression when it's really just a medical problem.....It seems that many vets don't even suspect thyroid problems when the only sign is a grumpy dog.

I'm going to have her to the vet and have her tested. I'll be so pleased if this is something medical that we can treat. I just want her to be happy again!

The following link is one of many articles I found on the subject.

http://www.petplace.com/netscape/nsArtShow.asp?artID=1807

[honeybears]

I was going to say at that age that sounds young for thyroid, but then it is a saint benard and they age a lot faster. I hope you find the cause and let us know

[Jamiya]

Please let us know what happens! We are having problems with the grumpies at our house as well.