Spots with long hair

[mcbrientn]

We recently took Thor the the Vet because he was losing some of his fur. We did not know what was going on he would have a bunch of short dark spots all over his hind area The vet said he was find they really could not find anything wrong with him they said he was allergic to Fleas which made his skin irritated and the fur fall off. There was no fleas on him but She said just one bite could do this for some Dogs. Has any one else ever heard of this.

The Vet also said that he still has not lost all of his winter coat from last year. I really don't know what to think. This is almost the end of summer and it been in the upper 90, he should of lost every hing by now His coat went from a light silver to a dark grey steel and he has patches of longer light silver fur around his neck and on his sides. So he's not a solid color it doesnt look natural.

So my question is Do weims change color durning different parts of the year. How long does it usally take for a weim to lose it coat. Vet said other than the skin irritation he in perfect health...

[marjolein]

It can be part of the moulting. Do you have Weimaraner Ways by any chance, there's a nice chapter about it in there. There is a piccie of a "spotted" Weim in it. That dog is moulting and it certainly looks very weird.

[christina]

mcbrientn ...... It's only an educated guess, but if Thor is still displaying those spots - and you think it's not due to moulting and it still bothers you - I would have him tested for Hypothyroidism.

Getting those dark "spots" was one of the first signs that my Kimber displayed when he became hypothyroid. Every single hypothyroid Weimaraner I know of has got this mottled coat. Those 'spots' are new fur that grows in, where the dog has previously lost coat due to little bacterial infections.

Since you are in the States, I would highly recommend having Thor's blood sent to Dr. Jean Dodds in California. She and her lab are the best - and also not expensive.

Should you do the test, please ask for a FULL thyroid panel, not just part of one

Christina

PS Message for Wetdog..... STOP LAUGHING !!