Help! My 3-1/2 year old sheltie has been dealing with allergies for over a year. We've tested food, and her thyroid, but it's been determined that her allergies are environmental. She's on Apoquel, prednisone and zyrtec. Recently she's been losing a lot of hair on her hips and tail, and her beautiful coat is a mess. It's pretty normal around her neck and along her spine. She's on a premium food (Brother's Advanced Allergy Care food), and I give her coconut oil and recently started adding Seeds Please anti-itch supplement.
Excessive Hair Loss
- Thread starter Lily Rose
- Start date
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
I'm so very sorry for what you are dealing with.
Are you sure about the thyroid results and any other test results that were done Maybe you can share those with us so we can compare. I had a hypo thyroid dog too, but he also eventually showed up with liver disease.
I don't want to scare you, but I question all the meds that your dog is on.
I would definitely get a second opinion on your dogs allergies.
I really don't like what I'm reading here. I don't want to say that I don't trust your vet.....but actually, I don't trust your vet!
Are you sure about the thyroid results and any other test results that were done Maybe you can share those with us so we can compare. I had a hypo thyroid dog too, but he also eventually showed up with liver disease.
I don't want to scare you, but I question all the meds that your dog is on.
I would definitely get a second opinion on your dogs allergies.
I really don't like what I'm reading here. I don't want to say that I don't trust your vet.....but actually, I don't trust your vet!
Caro
Moderator
Prednisone can cause hair loss so that may be what you are seeing. Is the prednisone temporary?
I didn't find zyrtec very effective for my dog's grass allergy. Instead I have better results with Phenergan, initially it made her drowsy but she's used to it now.
I didn't find zyrtec very effective for my dog's grass allergy. Instead I have better results with Phenergan, initially it made her drowsy but she's used to it now.
Thyroid Panel Results
So Lily's T4 was 2.5, well within the range of 1.0-4.0, and her TSH was .10, within .02-.50, although I've read that shelties need higher than normal levels. I have an appointment with a holistic vet scheduled. I really want to get her off of the meds. She's taking 2.5 mg of prednisone every 48 hours, and I'm tapering her off slowly. I am also afraid that the hair loss could be related to the prednisone!
So Lily's T4 was 2.5, well within the range of 1.0-4.0, and her TSH was .10, within .02-.50, although I've read that shelties need higher than normal levels. I have an appointment with a holistic vet scheduled. I really want to get her off of the meds. She's taking 2.5 mg of prednisone every 48 hours, and I'm tapering her off slowly. I am also afraid that the hair loss could be related to the prednisone!
take4roll10
Moderator
If the hair loss isn't related to prednisone, Cushing's Disease causes hair loss. Has your dog had increased thirst and urination? Those are also the first signs of Cushing's disease. I think they're also side effects of prednisone. If prednisone isn't the cause, ask your vet about Cushing's disease.
when we moved to Seattle area briefly, my sheltie got flea infested, she seemed to be highly allergic to fleas, and with that ordeal she started losing great big patches of hair. She had this gorgeous coat and that reduced to almost nothing. Finally we got relief for her, so I feel so sorry for Lily Rose. I do hope the holistic Vet can help, I am a huge cheerleader for that approach. Good luck in finding a balance for your girl.