imported_Matty Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 OK, a person I know owns a Black Lab, the dog is 10 years old and has just recently started getting a funny coat. To explain, the dog has always had a lovely black shiny coat, lately it has become kinda dull and more like under coat on the sides with no guard hairs. It feels kinda soft and downy and discolored. The dog has never looked like this before and the owner has taken the dog to the vet. They advised the owner to change the dogs food. My friend has been feeding the same food since day one of the dogs life, I think its nutrience dog food. She also substitutes the dogs diet with fruit and veggies daily and some left overs so its not like the dog hasn't gotten a variety. Any way, I told her she should get a CBC done just in case of thyroid problems. She will do this, but, do you think that the discoloration could be caused from feeding the same food all of the dogs life?? she said she is going to pick up another food called holistic blend and change the dogs food. What do you think? can a food change a dogs coat in latter years to a dull downy look? or do you think it sounds like the beginning of a health problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillons Posted October 12, 2004 Share Posted October 12, 2004 I don't know if this applies to dogs, but in horses when a coat gets downy it could be from Cushing's disease. I know dogs can get this, so that's one thing to check for maybe? I hope they took your advice with the CBC! Let us know how things go. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_Matty Posted October 12, 2004 Author Share Posted October 12, 2004 Thank you Papillons. My goodness, I hope its not Cushing's! :o I'm sure it will all come out in the blood work Thank you for the infomation, that was great. I will tell my friend just to prepare her. Just in case :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_Kat Posted October 12, 2004 Share Posted October 12, 2004 It certainly sounds pituitary or thyroid gland related at his age. A full blood count will give the answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_Matty Posted October 12, 2004 Author Share Posted October 12, 2004 Thank you Kat. I had seen dogs with thyroid problems which loose their coat on the sides and get a brittle coat. I hope my friend finds an answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 [quote name='Matty']OK, a person I know owns a Black Lab, the dog is 10 years old and has just recently started getting a funny coat. To explain, the dog has always had a lovely black shiny coat, lately it has become kinda dull and more like under coat on the sides with no guard hairs. It feels kinda soft and downy and discolored. The dog has never looked like this before and the owner has taken the dog to the vet. They advised the owner to change the dogs food. My friend has been feeding the same food since day one of the dogs life, I think its nutrience dog food. She also substitutes the dogs diet with fruit and veggies daily and some left overs so its not like the dog hasn't gotten a variety. Any way, I told her she should get a CBC done just in case of thyroid problems. She will do this, but, do you think that the discoloration could be caused from feeding the same food all of the dogs life?? she said she is going to pick up another food called holistic blend and change the dogs food. What do you think? can a food change a dogs coat in latter years to a dull downy look? or do you think it sounds like the beginning of a health problem?[/quote] thats really weird? my black lab is having the same problem. thank God for dogo!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_Matty Posted November 17, 2004 Author Share Posted November 17, 2004 I forgot about this :o I was talkin to the dogs owner and the blood tests came back great. She has switched the dogs food so hopefully that will help. The coat still looks the same. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gooeydog Posted November 18, 2004 Share Posted November 18, 2004 Is she sure he's not just blowing coat? The lab x I used to walk looked diseased when she'd blow coat, huge patches of undercoat hanging out over the other coat, like a bird coming into full plumage. Just tossing it out there, as it's common, but not something most people think of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_Matty Posted November 21, 2004 Author Share Posted November 21, 2004 No the Lab is not blowing coat. They have had the dog since it was a pup and the coat looks really awful, its Dry dull and brittle. Thryoid test came fine. They brush the dog and just had it bathed and blown out at the local groomers to see if that would help a while back. The groomers used a nice conditioner and every thing. They are going to see if a change in diet will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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