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Bald spot on tail & thinning fur on rear

Discussion in 'Diseases & Illnesses' started by shelbysdaddy, Jul 19, 2019.

  1. Wendy C

    Wendy C Forums Enthusiast

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    Thanks, I also printed it and put it with all of Cooper’s papers. :)
     
  2. The Quahog

    The Quahog Forums Enthusiast

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    Any chance you could post a pic of the bald spot so we can see its size and position?
     
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  3. shelbysdaddy

    shelbysdaddy Forums Regular

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    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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  4. ghggp

    ghggp Moderator

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    Thanks for the pictures! What a beauty Shelby is!

    Maybe see a doggy dermatologist too. Thyroid is still my main concern.
     
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  5. The Quahog

    The Quahog Forums Enthusiast

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  6. Piper's mom

    Piper's mom Moderator

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    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.
     
  7. Sharon7

    Sharon7 Moderator

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    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!
     
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  8. shelbysdaddy

    shelbysdaddy Forums Regular

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    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!
     
  9. The Quahog

    The Quahog Forums Enthusiast

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    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.
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2019
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  10. shelbysdaddy

    shelbysdaddy Forums Regular

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    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 ...
    IMG_20190906_191356.jpg
    IMG_20190906_192025.jpg
     
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