Yellow Labrador Retriever Losing Hair on Sides - part II

This is part two of an e-mail from Connie, in regards to her yellow Labrador Retriever's (Cosmo) hair loss on both of his sides.

Connie's Response:

Hey Fay!

I took Cosmo to the vet and she tested him for exactly what you said...Hypothyroidism. I was hoping all night and morning that this was the case for it sounded easy to remedy.

Unfortunately, that is NOT what he has...She will treat him for a problem for loss of hair... pattern hair loss.We are starting by giving him 3 mg of melatonin a day and a prescription for omega fatty acids--kind of a homeopathic approach. We will do this for a month and have him re-looked at...

If you know anything about this approach to the loss of fur, I would love to hear from you!

I know that he is not in danger, but I feel like he needs to get his gorgeous coat back!

He is our first dog (my first dog ever in my life) so it has been so nice to receive your emails to my questions!!!

Thanks! Connie

All About Labradors Answer:

Your welcome for the replies to your e-mail, it's my pleasure, and once again I am so sorry for the long delay in response.

Based on the symptoms you told me of Cosmo, I really thought the diagnosis was going to come back as Hypothyroidism, especially with the bilateral and symmetrical hair loss (not that these symptoms can only be associated with Hypothyroidism).

You sound a little disappointed that Hypothyroidism was not the diagnosis.

Connie, do you happen to know what testing was done by your veterinarian? Not that I am questioning your veterinarian, as I never would question a vets diagnosis, especially since I am not one myself. Just curious to know what test performed, what they ruled out.

I understand the prescription for omega fatty acids, to help improve the health of the skin and coat.

Continue Reading...

I also know that Melatonin is used to help manage separation anxiety and other fearful conditions.

Question:

Is Cosmo left completely alone for periods of time (when your working)?

Did you hear the vet mention Alopecia or just the pattern baldness (pattern hair loss)

You are right with Cosmo being in no danger if it is pattern baldness, as this is a cosmetic disease that will not affect his quality of life. I do believe that pattern baldness can often be permanent.

Let me do I little research, to see what else I can find out for you.

Connie's Response:

Good morning!

Cosmo is never alone! I am lucky enough to be at home so he is right with me! He is right at my side as I type!

There was a name to what it was, so today when I pick up the omega, I will find out what tests were done to rule out what and if there was a diagnosis. She mentioned something about hormones.... I will get back to you with more.

Not disappointed, but just know that treating hypothyroidism will be easier to treat than melatonin. that makes them sleepy and he is already a pretty mellow dog! I do trust the vet, but I will need to know more to feel comfortable that he is being treated correctly!

Anyway, I will keep you informed!

* Later on that same day, Connie sent another e-mail to keep me updated:

Feel like I am sending too many emails, but here is my update.

I stopped by the vet for Cosmo to ask a few questions.Right now, she is treating him for loss of hair and dry skin with omega fatty acids along with a homeopathic try of melatonin to help. This is to be done for one month. If not better than she will do a skin biopsy---which she is trying to avoid!

As far as testing, she ran a T4 plus, so it was a health check plus and every number was in the normal range. That is good!

Let's just hope this works to get him looking back to normal? Again, I will keep you informed if anything else is said or noticed.

Thanks for all of your time!

All About Labradors Answer:

The information given here is to help you learn more about your Labrador Retriever and not to replace your veterinarian's advice. Disclaimer

Hi Connie,

Please don’t think you are sending to many e-mails, sometimes it takes many e-mails to try to get problems figured out. Send as many as you need.

The reason I asked about Cosmo being left alone was because I knew that Melatonin was used for cases of separation anxiety. I thought this possible (separation anxiety) may have had a part with the hair loss. You are also correct that Melatonin might make him sleepy as it has been used as a sleep aid.

I knew the were many different reasons for hair loss in dogs, but the more I search, and the more I talk to others, the more I learn of many new causes of hair loss.

I have found some things that might be of some help to you. This first site talks about hair loss, minerals and vitamins associated with hair loss, and proper nutrition. I found the article to be very insightful.

Hair loss for Dogs - http://medicine.science-tips.org/health/hair-loss/hair-loss-for-dogs.html

Make sure you click next on bottom of page as there are two parts of this article.

Here is some information on a condition called Seasonal flank alopecia, which is basically a loss of hair along the sides that occurs at certain times of the year. Melatonin is also used for treatment with this. Take at look at the photos also to see if they look anything like Cosmo’s condition.

http://www.hilltopanimalhospital.com/seasonalalopecia.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Follicular_dysplasia

I am continuing to research for you and Cosmo. Hopefully the Melatonin and fatty acids help Cosmo's condition. Please keep me updated along the way.

I know it has only been a few days, but have you noticed any changes (positive or negative)?

Talk to you soon

Yellow Labrador Retriever Losing Hair on Sides - part I

Yellow Labrador Retriever Losing Hair on Sides - part III

To see a photo of Cosmo, click on his name: Cosmo 5/09/07

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