 Luc's bald spots (underside)
#163687 - 11/18/2007 08:09 PM |
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I mentioned that I thought Luc's bald spots might have affected how well he handled the cold last weekend backpacking.
Initially I just thought this was just how he is - but I am going to be taking him to the vet (I keep putting it off, but I'm trying to get him to wear his jacket for a week or two and see if there is significant fur re-growth, in case I'm missing him licking it compulsively or something).
But any thoughts about this would be appreciated. Could this be normal, he just is a little less hairy on parts of his underside?
I made an album at germanshepherdpics.com, not that the pics are fantastic, but hopefully they help show it:
http://www.germanshepherdpics.com/thumbnails.php?album=24
Teagan!
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Re: Luc's bald spots (underside)
[Re: Jennifer Mullen ]
#163688 - 11/18/2007 08:14 PM |
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Jennifer,
I cannot tell really, there does not seem to be any redness or irritation look to it. The only thing I saw were a couple of red marks(on what appeared to be his right side or on my left as I looked at it), is that sores?
It does not appear to be rubbed off.....
None of my dogs have a lot of hair in those places either.....
Until The Tale of the Lioness is told, the Story will Always Glorfy the Hunter |
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Re: Luc's bald spots (underside)
[Re: Carol Boche ]
#163689 - 11/18/2007 08:22 PM |
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thanks carol. those red marks were from a stick (i took these the night after we got back from our trip), luc seems to spear himself every now and then when we backpack....he actually hadn't done that in a long time  (another reason why more fur would be good!)
teagan has more fur there, but she's a long coat. it is a bit thinner around her genitals though, but nothing like luc's. i do wonder if it just isn't normal for him, but it'd be nice if he did get a bit more growth in. i'd worry less about him getting cold/taking him out overnight in the winter if he did.
Teagan!
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Re: Luc's bald spots (underside)
[Re: Jennifer Mullen ]
#163706 - 11/19/2007 12:15 AM |
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This picture was taken last spring.
http://s161.photobucket.com/albums/t214/farwesttoller/?action=view¤t=may29003.jpg
He is still in full coat, and has spent the winter days kenneled outdoors for the most part. Though you can see my dog has "abundant" pant and tail fur, the areas next to his pp are pretty much bare. As Carol mentioned it is not uncommon for dogs to be mostly bear there! Under the armpits the fur can be thin as well on some breeds. When they curl up in a "wolf ball" these spots are protected.
Does Luc seem better now that he has a coat?
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Re: Luc's bald spots (underside)
[Re: Jennifer Coulter ]
#163722 - 11/19/2007 07:48 AM |
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thanks jennifer! you guys are kinda confirming what i thought in the summer, that his baldness was just how he is.
it definitely doesn't help him w/the warmth though.
i actually banged my foot or did something to it - a bit bruised and swollen - so we skipped our scheduled saturday hike. i do think the jacket is helping on our walks, i notice he seems more interested in playing/leaping around when he's wearing it. that could be my bias, but he does seem happier with it (and it's hardly freezing at the moment). so far i haven't noticed any additional fur growth due to wearing it all the time, so i don't think it is a psychological or allergic cause.
Teagan!
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Re: Luc's bald spots (underside)
[Re: Jennifer Mullen ]
#163786 - 11/19/2007 01:16 PM |
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Hi Jennifer,
My dog has a very short coat, so the places where he naturally has less fur coverage are pretty much bald - I know Luc is at least mostly GSD, but I was wondering if what you were describing as "bald spots" were actually just naturally hairless areas... your pictures made me almost certain that they are in fact 'just the way he is'. Though the images are a bit blurry and close up, the hair pattern seemed to be symetrical on either side, and tapered into the proper hairy areas - real bald spots often look like holes in an otherwise evenly hairy surface - this looked more like a gradient of hair to no hair.
These areas may or may not be contributing to overall coldness for him (he may just have a finer coat, or different metabolism, or lower tolerance...), but if a jacket is helping him stay more comfortable - stick with it! 
Cheers,
~Natalya
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Re: Luc's bald spots (underside)
[Re: Natalya Zahn ]
#163790 - 11/19/2007 01:28 PM |
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no, you're right....they don't really look like 'lick' spots to me either. i may not rush him off to the vet but just ask next time we're there.
....i really am just trying to find areas to optimize so he handles cold better. but he may never be a good dog in terms of long-term cold exposure. we'll have to see i guess.
thanks so much though everyone, i'm feeling a lot better about him not having some weird syndrome making him all bald. (not that i would ever be overly concerned about his health or anything....  )
Teagan!
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Re: Luc's bald spots (underside)
[Re: Jennifer Mullen ]
#163803 - 11/19/2007 02:04 PM |
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I know you said that he didn't like things around his paws...does this mean booties are out?
Some dogs hate hats. |
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Re: Luc's bald spots (underside)
[Re: David Eagle ]
#163807 - 11/19/2007 02:13 PM |
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it means i'm buying a muzzle and booties will likely be in.... 
i've put wax on his paws, he tolerated the front paws and started mouthing me when i moved to his back paws (i was like 'FINE! see if i care if your pads get cold!'). i think booties will probably be best for insulation though, so i'd like to go with them. though i HATE the thought of muzzling him to put them on, but - i have spent some time with his booties giving him treats on the booties, touching his feet with the booties and then giving him a treat to try and do positive association - perhaps i'm impatient but i think he was just like 'yeah, thanks lady! TREAT! ....i don't know what you're doing with that cloth thing, but whatever.'
Teagan!
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