Wendy C
Forums Enthusiast
Thanks, I also printed it and put it with all of Cooper’s papers. 
Bald spot on tail & thinning fur on rear
- Thread starter shelbysdaddy
- Start date
The Quahog
Forums Enthusiast
Any chance you could post a pic of the bald spot so we can see its size and position?
shelbysdaddy
Forums Regular
Hi, yes thank you, I just upgrade to premium so I could show you (plus a picture of her face so you can meet her):
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ghggp
Moderator
Thanks for the pictures! What a beauty Shelby is!
Maybe see a doggy dermatologist too. Thyroid is still my main concern.
Maybe see a doggy dermatologist too. Thyroid is still my main concern.
The Quahog
Forums Enthusiast
I would consider the possibility of 'stud tail' - look into the violet gland, supra caudal gland, or 'tail gland'. (Not to be confused with 'anal glands'.)
Needless to say, not trying to diagnose or interfere, just something to mention to your veterinarian as a possibility. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violet_gland
https://spoiledhounds.com/stud-tail-bald-spot-on-dog-tail/
Needless to say, not trying to diagnose or interfere, just something to mention to your veterinarian as a possibility. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violet_gland
https://spoiledhounds.com/stud-tail-bald-spot-on-dog-tail/
Piper's mom
Moderator
Shelby is a beautiful girl! I'd definitely ask your vet about stud tail...very interesting, never heard of it but sure looks like that might be it.
Sharon7
Moderator
Dr. Mac, I learn so much from you - even if it's not something I'm dealing with. Thank you!
And, Shelby is a beautiful girl! What a sweet face. Hope you get to the bottom of the hair loss soon!
shelbysdaddy
Forums Regular
Wow thanks -- Stud Tail looks like it must be exactly right! Do you have any experience treating it? She's had it for a while so I'm tempted to go straight to dog dermatologist rather than starting with anything on my own.
Also -- I found out that her thyroid T4 is 1.3 with a normal scale being 0.8-3.5 for this lab ("Antech Diagnostics"). So according to the Hemopet website, she is on the low end and probably needs thyroid replacement? Is it weird to have both the stud tail and hypothyroid at the same time?
Thanks everyone!
Also -- I found out that her thyroid T4 is 1.3 with a normal scale being 0.8-3.5 for this lab ("Antech Diagnostics"). So according to the Hemopet website, she is on the low end and probably needs thyroid replacement? Is it weird to have both the stud tail and hypothyroid at the same time?
Thanks everyone!
The Quahog
Forums Enthusiast
Your profile pic is a great picture. Shows a lot of character.
Honestly I hesitate to get involved further than making the suggestion to your veterinarian, as no one wants to hear of 'that guy on the internet who hasn't seen the dog but knows what he has and how to treat it.'
And, frankly, I almost always DON'T treat it. Owners come in concerned about this big bald discolored patch on their dog's tail and I explain to them that it is an interesting curiosity but really of little clinical significance, just an area where there are a lot of oil glands and not many hair follicles.
As always, other veterinarians' opinions may differ about whether treatment is in order, and I respect their expertise.
Honestly I hesitate to get involved further than making the suggestion to your veterinarian, as no one wants to hear of 'that guy on the internet who hasn't seen the dog but knows what he has and how to treat it.'
And, frankly, I almost always DON'T treat it. Owners come in concerned about this big bald discolored patch on their dog's tail and I explain to them that it is an interesting curiosity but really of little clinical significance, just an area where there are a lot of oil glands and not many hair follicles.
As always, other veterinarians' opinions may differ about whether treatment is in order, and I respect their expertise.
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shelbysdaddy
Forums Regular
Okay thought I would give everyone an update. Shelby's total T3 came back low (<40 and reference range is 45-150), free T3 came back borderline (1.8 and reference range is 1.7-5.3), and total T4 came back borderline (1.3, reference 0.8-5.3). The lab messed up the free T4 so we don't have a result. Auto-antibodies were normal. We took her to a dermatologist who thought it seemed like hypothyroid, so even though the tests were not a "slam dunk" we decided to start her on thyroid replacement. Now it's only been 2 weeks but I actually think she has a lot more energy and her fur is noticeably fluffier! It might take some time for the overcoat to regrow on the butt however so far I think I can see progress and it has only been 2 weeks ...
