Anyone seen 'owt like it? - weird (dog) fur happenings
Discussion
Hullo, kind and gentle folk of ACGAS.
Has anyone ever seen similar to the photos below?
He's an entire 6yo male staffy - faun and blue in colour. Since about August last year, these random paler spots of fur have appeared on him. Initially presented in the geometric-looking horizontal lined pattern along his flanks, that look like a series of flea bites (he's not got fleas).
After a few weeks, they appeared further up toward his shoulders - paler, tufty-looking patches, rather than the original ones which looked like a reaction to insect bites. The fur isn't falling out on any of these tufts; it's just tufty and looks longer and paler than his usual fur (is more the colour of the fur on his tummy). The tufty patches have now advanced to his cheeks...
Other interesting facts: the fur under where his collar sits has rubbed bald and he has a bald patch half-way down his tail. The texture of his fur is the same - not brittle or anything like that.
The skin underneath the patches (and the bald parts) is completely normal. No changes to eating, drinking or behaviour. He doesn't scratch the patches/tufts (in fact, if we hadn't told him, he wouldn't have even known he had them). These facts make the vet(s) think it's not an allergy.
He's been tested for mites (they didn't see any from four separate samples); blood results for thyroid issues come back tomorrow... but it's probable they'll be "inconclusive", apparently, as he currently displays no other symptoms of a thyroid issue (behavioural changes, weight change et al).
And that's it. That's all our vets have got! We're not unduly worried as it doesn't seem to be affecting him in anyway whatsoever other than the aesthetics of his fur... but it does look horrible and I'd like to get rid of the small knot of worry I'm carrying round!
So, anyone ever seen anything like it??
It occurs to me that firelight probably wasn't the best light to take the photos in... let me know if it's worth taking some better ones!
Has anyone ever seen similar to the photos below?
He's an entire 6yo male staffy - faun and blue in colour. Since about August last year, these random paler spots of fur have appeared on him. Initially presented in the geometric-looking horizontal lined pattern along his flanks, that look like a series of flea bites (he's not got fleas).
After a few weeks, they appeared further up toward his shoulders - paler, tufty-looking patches, rather than the original ones which looked like a reaction to insect bites. The fur isn't falling out on any of these tufts; it's just tufty and looks longer and paler than his usual fur (is more the colour of the fur on his tummy). The tufty patches have now advanced to his cheeks...
Other interesting facts: the fur under where his collar sits has rubbed bald and he has a bald patch half-way down his tail. The texture of his fur is the same - not brittle or anything like that.
The skin underneath the patches (and the bald parts) is completely normal. No changes to eating, drinking or behaviour. He doesn't scratch the patches/tufts (in fact, if we hadn't told him, he wouldn't have even known he had them). These facts make the vet(s) think it's not an allergy.
He's been tested for mites (they didn't see any from four separate samples); blood results for thyroid issues come back tomorrow... but it's probable they'll be "inconclusive", apparently, as he currently displays no other symptoms of a thyroid issue (behavioural changes, weight change et al).
And that's it. That's all our vets have got! We're not unduly worried as it doesn't seem to be affecting him in anyway whatsoever other than the aesthetics of his fur... but it does look horrible and I'd like to get rid of the small knot of worry I'm carrying round!
So, anyone ever seen anything like it??
Crosses fingers and hopes
It occurs to me that firelight probably wasn't the best light to take the photos in... let me know if it's worth taking some better ones!
I thought they looked like the hives our Staffy suffers from, but as you say the skin underneath isn't affected it's not the same. Our Staffy gets red swollen lumps that make her fur tuft up like that & we can't find the cause.
Mind you, she did have patches like that last weekend. The silly bugger walked under a cement mixer as it slopped some out
Then shortly afterwards got a bath in washing up liquid as it was the only soapy stuff we had there to get it off her.
Mind you, she did have patches like that last weekend. The silly bugger walked under a cement mixer as it slopped some out
Then shortly afterwards got a bath in washing up liquid as it was the only soapy stuff we had there to get it off her.Hooli said:
Mind you, she did have patches like that last weekend. The silly bugger walked under a cement mixer as it slopped some out Then shortly afterwards got a bath in washing up liquid as it was the only soapy stuff we had there to get it off her.
Then shortly afterwards got a bath in washing up liquid as it was the only soapy stuff we had there to get it off her.
They're not blessed with brains sometimes, are they?!
Bex - vets haven't actually mentioned hives; presumably because there's no skin change/itchiness? It started last August as well... how long do hives last for?
There's no lumps underneath the fur patches; skin is healthy and unchanged... it's a mystery!
Thanks for the input though. If only there were an animal version of House!
Dog-walker has asked around his circle of people; I've asked most of the people we know who own dogs... now I'm asking the internet at large!
On an only-slightly related note: I've missed pictures of Bryn! Are there any on the dog thread??
Just hunted for the thread you did - he looks like a proper cutie! More photos!
The hair on the patches lies flat. It's not elevated like hackles are, no. On some of the bigger patches, it looks longer than his usual fur, the "longer" fur doesn't sit quite flat hence it looking a bit tufty.
The hair on the patches lies flat. It's not elevated like hackles are, no. On some of the bigger patches, it looks longer than his usual fur, the "longer" fur doesn't sit quite flat hence it looking a bit tufty.
Ryn36 said:
Hooli said:
Mind you, she did have patches like that last weekend. The silly bugger walked under a cement mixer as it slopped some out Then shortly afterwards got a bath in washing up liquid as it was the only soapy stuff we had there to get it off her.
Then shortly afterwards got a bath in washing up liquid as it was the only soapy stuff we had there to get it off her.They're not blessed with brains sometimes, are they?!
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