Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
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Quote: Nina Malmberg
Taking him to the vet tomorrow and going to get them to take T4 blood sample.
Sheila Buckley reminded me in a PM thread today of D-deficiency and its links to hair loss, as well as to hypothyroidism.
A study in "Thyroid" last year showed that D deficiency appears to contribute to loss of thyroid function. Other studies have linked the two, too, although so far (as far as I've read), the exact mechanism isn't known yet. These studies are about humans, but the D-deficiency and hair-loss link is already established, and (quote) "It is difficult to imagine that vitamin D would be so important for humans and not for animals." from http://www.dogdoctor.us/functionalissues/vitamind.html
Anyone here who has had a health checkup in the last two years or so probably knows that D deficiency in humans has become an actual epidemic. (I was surprised myself to find that my own serum D level was amazingly low. This started me reading.)
Nina Malmberg Webboard User Reg: 06-24-2012
Posts: 31
Loc: UK
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"I know that allergies are less likely if he isn't itching but first thing I look at is food - tell me that you're not feeding the hills / science plan from the vet please? "
Hell no, he's on RAW Chicken, Beef, Tripe, Lamb heart, Ox Heart, some veggies (kale, a bit of spinach, broad beans and some carrot) Yogurt and Kelp.. RMB chicken backs, lamb ribs, lamb bones, chicken wings and knuckle bones. i think thats all of them.
"And how is the hair on the rest of him (besides the dark spots)? Is his coat dry and/or brittle? "
a bit greasy on the back, but otherwise nice and thick + soft.
Update - been at vets, sorry wasnt able to check here earlier BT went dead lastnight lol.
They taken broad blood sample that will check the T4 and kidneys among other bits and bob's.. Should know in 2- 3 days
To me, the skin looks like "large short coated dog who lays on wet concrete".
I would consider a short-term antibiotic, a good one for skin.
Also, some dogs have patchy alopecia that is not a "condition" but something akin to a birth mark which appears around maturity at the time of the year when the coat is at its shortest.
Those are things I'd think of AFTER the T4 and other rule-outs mentioned by Connie and other posters.
Nina Malmberg Webboard User Reg: 06-24-2012
Posts: 31
Loc: UK
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Betty,
I'll see what the test results say and if nothing is found then I'll ask for antibiotics.
"patchy alopecia that is not a "condition" but something akin to a birth mark which appears around maturity"
He's only 5 months old and as a giant breed he will develop slower too. All tho im not going to rule that one out either.. All up in the air as far as I'm conserned.
Nina, have you seen any ear margin scabs or crusting? Also, I tried to look back on this thread to see if there was mention of extreme scratching and itching, and you have not mentioned this, is that right?
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Re: anyone know what this is?
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Chicken, Beef, Tripe, Lamb heart, Ox Heart, some veggies (kale, a bit of spinach, broad beans and some carrot) Yogurt and Kelp.. RMB chicken backs, lamb ribs, lamb bones, chicken wings and knuckle bones. i think thats all of them. 
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