Update on Thyroid Disease, Vaccine Issues, & Nutrition 

presented by Dr. Jean Dodds

Dr. Dodds returns to Dallas with an updated look at the science of three key areas of canine health: thyroid disease, vaccine issues, and nutrition.

Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder of dogs, and up to 80% of cases result from an autoimmune disease that progressively destroys the thyroid gland. Once more than 75% of the gland has been destroyed, the classical symptoms of hypothyroidism appear. Because the condition is heritable, it has significant genetic implications for breeding stock. Diagnosing is often difficult and accurate diagnosis of the early stages offer important genetic and clinical options with prompt intervention and case management. 

Vaccine Issues: modern vaccine technology has permitted us to protect companion animals effectively against serious infectious diseases. However, the challenge to produce effective and safe vaccines has become increasingly difficult, and evidence suggests that vaccines are involved in triggering immune-mediated and other chronic disorders.

Molecular Dietary Signatures: Wholesome nutrition is key to maintaining healthy immune function and resistance to disease. Dr. Dodds will focus on the basic ingredients and trace vitamins, minerals and immune balancing nutrients that promote healthy endocrine and immune function as they pertain to health and disease. She’ll talk about the  new field of nutrigenomics, an emerging science that studies the molecular relationships between nutrition and the response of genes in promoting health. Different diets elicit different patterns of gene and protein expression as well as metabolite production.

Saturday, June 26, 2010 – registration begins at 8:30 AM

Seminar begins promptly at 9 AM

Location: Girl Scouts of Tejas Council, 6001 Summerside Drive, Dallas TX 75252