losing fur

ginastags2315 · 04-01-2007, 09:47 AM

Abbey has been losing fur on her tail. She's never had that much fur, but now there are parts of her tail where you can see her skin. I never see her biting her tail, so I think it's coming out on its own. Anyone know what could be wrong with her?

calgal · 04-01-2007, 04:43 PM

Have your Vet. take a scraping of that area and see what it is. Sounds like a type of mange. I hope it isn't contagious. Check other parts of her body too.

ginastags2315 · 04-01-2007, 05:45 PM

I scheduled an appointment with my vet for the Tuesday, but I think I figured out what it is... I caught Mufasa chewing on Abbey's tail today. I don't know if he's just doing it to play, because he bites Muffin's tail too, or if he knows something's wrong with Abbey's. I didn't find any other parts of her that are losing fur, so I think it's just because of Mufasa.

Rottielvr18 · 04-01-2007, 05:59 PM

I hope that you find the cause for it, & its not serious at all. A person at work had been bringing their dog in named Papa. Papa's tail was getting so raw because he kept biting at his tail constantly. It was always being wrapped, but it never stayed on because it itched sooooo bad!! I hadnt seen Papa & his buddy Riley for the longest time until this past saturday I went to work & Papa was being boarded till this evening. Now all he has for a tail is a medium size stub! I was shocked at first but now he actually has thick healthy looking fur on whats left of his tail. He looks so much healthier than he did before.

Novel · 04-01-2007, 10:50 PM

Is Abbey the Golden?? How old? It could be a thyroid problem too, so have some blood work done while you're getting the scraping done.

***Swiftwind*** · 04-02-2007, 12:00 AM

Yup, I was going to suggest that she could have hypothyroidism. Harley, my dog, has it and the first visible (physical) signs he had was loss of fur on his tail. (at the base and tip). Best bet is to take her to the vet to get some tests done. It's better to catch it now than leave it going. Good luck (hope it's nothing too serious)!

ginastags2315 · 04-02-2007, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novel

Is Abbey the Golden?? How old? It could be a thyroid problem too, so have some blood work done while you're getting the scraping done.

Abbey's the german shepherd/lab/greyhound mix, and she's 7.

trainingrixie · 04-02-2007, 08:27 AM

boy, i hope the problem get figured out soon and that its nothing serious. keep us posted!

Novel · 04-02-2007, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ginastags2315

Abbey's the german shepherd/lab/greyhound mix, and she's 7.

Yes, I would definitely check for hypothyroidism. It can be common in labs, and I'm not sure about greys or GSDs... but age can be a contributing factor, and 7 is definitely within the age range.

Shadowkins · 04-02-2007, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novel

Is Abbey the Golden?? How old? It could be a thyroid problem too, so have some blood work done while you're getting the scraping done.

Make sure you ask for a complete thyroid panel...it's expensive but well worth it.

ginastags2315 · 04-03-2007, 02:20 PM

I had my vet take a scraping and do blood work, and Abbey's fine. The vet said there's nothing wrong with her, and that it's just because of Mufasa biting it.

Novel · 04-03-2007, 09:34 PM

Thanks for the update and glad to hear nothing is amiss!

04-01-2007, 09:47 AM	#1 (permalink)
ginastags2315 Abbey, Muffin, & Mufasa Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 273 Rep Power: 38	losing fur Abbey has been losing fur on her tail. She's never had that much fur, but now there are parts of her tail where you can see her skin. I never see her biting her tail, so I think it's coming out on its own. Anyone know what could be wrong with her?
	__________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." - Josh Billings "I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." - Gilda Radner

04-01-2007, 05:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
ginastags2315 Abbey, Muffin, & Mufasa Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 273 Rep Power: 38	I scheduled an appointment with my vet for the Tuesday, but I think I figured out what it is... I caught Mufasa chewing on Abbey's tail today. I don't know if he's just doing it to play, because he bites Muffin's tail too, or if he knows something's wrong with Abbey's. I didn't find any other parts of her that are losing fur, so I think it's just because of Mufasa.
	__________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." - Josh Billings "I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." - Gilda Radner

04-02-2007, 12:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
*Swiftwind* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 5,444 Blog Entries: 2 Rep Power: 193	Yup, I was going to suggest that she could have hypothyroidism. Harley, my dog, has it and the first visible (physical) signs he had was loss of fur on his tail. (at the base and tip). Best bet is to take her to the vet to get some tests done. It's better to catch it now than leave it going. Good luck (hope it's nothing too serious)!
	__________________ As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner. Get more out of Global Paw: Art Classes / Blogs / Book Club / Photo Gallery / Woof Review

04-02-2007, 08:27 AM	#8 (permalink)
trainingrixie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: jax, fla Posts: 746 Rep Power: 54	boy, i hope the problem get figured out soon and that its nothing serious. keep us posted!
	__________________

04-03-2007, 02:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
ginastags2315 Abbey, Muffin, & Mufasa Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 273 Rep Power: 38	I had my vet take a scraping and do blood work, and Abbey's fine. The vet said there's nothing wrong with her, and that it's just because of Mufasa biting it.
	__________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." - Josh Billings "I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." - Gilda Radner

04-01-2007, 04:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,669 Rep Power: 225	Have your Vet. take a scraping of that area and see what it is. Sounds like a type of mange. I hope it isn't contagious. Check other parts of her body too.

04-01-2007, 05:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rottielvr18 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: PA Posts: 117 Rep Power: 54	I hope that you find the cause for it, & its not serious at all. A person at work had been bringing their dog in named Papa. Papa's tail was getting so raw because he kept biting at his tail constantly. It was always being wrapped, but it never stayed on because it itched sooooo bad!! I hadnt seen Papa & his buddy Riley for the longest time until this past saturday I went to work & Papa was being boarded till this evening. Now all he has for a tail is a medium size stub! I was shocked at first but now he actually has thick healthy looking fur on whats left of his tail. He looks so much healthier than he did before.

04-01-2007, 10:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Novel Boxer Mom Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 4,884 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 215	Is Abbey the Golden?? How old? It could be a thyroid problem too, so have some blood work done while you're getting the scraping done.

04-03-2007, 09:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
Novel Boxer Mom Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 4,884 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 215	Thanks for the update and glad to hear nothing is amiss!

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