IW Health Talk

ARCHIVAL: Loss of Topcoat

01-31-2010 23:08:51 Author: jen

This post is archived from the old forum.

12-06-2008, 10:33 AM
Christa Stiles

Loss of Topcoat

My 10 year old spayed female has lost ALL her facial furnishings and 50% of her topcoat overall in the last 4 weeks. The undercoat and skin are not affected. There are no bald patches on the body, just an overall rapid loss with the hair matting easily. Her thryroid test was normal (although she has been on thyroid medication for several years). The vet's exam did not identify a cause.

I did bathe her with a new bottle of dog shampoo around the start of the loss, but the brand is the same as she has always used.

Is this a normal part of aging for some wolfhounds??

Thanks for your help.
Christa Stiles

12-08-2008, 06:48 AM
altimm

Hi, Christa -
I can't think of much here other than a seasonal change or a change in the pituitary. The kind of shampoo you use shouldn't have anything to do with how much she sheds. I don't have any personal experience with the use of melatonin - but it might be something you ask your own vet or do a little research on. There are many people who use melatonin with good success, but I've always been a little leary of it myself.

As far as I am aware I don't think it's a normal aging process in wolfhounds or other dog breeds.

Alice

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