Elderly Yorkie's Thinning Coat My little companion, Betty Boo, is a thirteen year old who was spayed at six months. She's just had her fourteenth set of shots and my vet gave her a quick check-up at the same time. She said she was in good condition for her age. However, Betty has developed a two inch wide strip of very thin coat (she's always taken to the groomer for a trim every two months) along the midline of her back. This starts about half way between her neck and tail and gets progressively thinner towards the tail (looking like a "landing strip from the air" when she walks ahead...). She's had this for several months but has now started to go thin along the top of her snout too. The vet says it's not related to any health problem such as ringworm or mange and so is most likely hormonal due to her advancing years. If this is the case, has anyone else had experience of this problem and any success at attempts to treat it? She's had age-related lameness in the past year and, having sought advice, she's now much better thanks to glucosamine/chondroitin complex and cod liver oil supplements in her food so I'm hoping to find some way to fix this new problem for her as well. She has a jacket for winter weather but I'm sure she'd rather have her own coat back! Many thanks. |
Has she been checked for mites. My dog has allegies and he loses hair. One time my female lost hair and they did a skin scrape and checked her for mites. It may just be an age thing too I dont know neither of mine are that old. |
Thanks for the quick response. Yes, Betty's had a full check-up by her vet and, in addition, she has a monthly application of selamectin (proof against all forms of lice), so it does look as if the vet must be correct in her diagnosis of age-related hormonal change. I always try conventional medicine first but if that cannot help, then I'm always willing to try alternative therapies. So, I'm hoping someone may have had this problem and may know of an alternative, such as herbal, therapy that I can try. |
I've just noticed she's thinning on the top of her snout now too. I've done some net-research and it looks like it could be CDA (Colour Dilute Alopecia). The only treatment mentioned is etretinate but this looks like a problem drug in itself as sites pertaining to it come with loads of caveats for its use in humans and no advice about its use with canines. If anyone out there has any knowledge of its use, along with precautions about possible side-effects, please let me know. Many thanks. |
I have seen many older dogs whose hair has thinned and turned gray. It could well just be a part of aging. And, like people, some dog's hair probably thins more than others. Carol Jean |
Thanks. I've just been back to the vet today and she's agreed to run some tests for CDA and age-related hormonal possibilities so I might start getting some answers soon. |
Sorted! ...as we say in England. I've now been given a pump-spray bottle of moisturizer (non-greasy) to spray on Betty Boo before I brush her and it's worked wonders. Her coat has all grown back so it must have been one of the dry-hair-at-the-roots conditions after all. The product is called Humilac and it's by Verbac Veterinary. She looks like she's been sprayed with a water mister for plants, after it's been applied, and she looks wet whilst I brush her coat but it dries fairly fast and doesn't mark fabrics - even if she gets on a bed while still wet. Ian |
I really doubt you would just now be seeing symptoms of CDA. I would think it would more likely be hypothyroidism or another endocrine disorder. Your vet should be able to take a blood test and know what to start testing for. Any other symptoms (compulsive eating, overweight, sensitivity to cold, lack of stamina, etc.)? |
Yes, she had loads of tests done and they were all okay. Eating wise, she's always been a light eater and so is not overweight. It does look as if it was an age-related drying-out of her skin and coat. Now that she gets thoroughly sprayed with the Humilac moisturizer before brushing, it stops the hair from breaking off at the roots before it has a chance to grow. Her coat has now fully recovered after about three month's usage. |
Great news! I've never had that happen. Best of luck to Betty Boo! :D |
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