Lewis Moon Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Our new foster has a really dry and brittle coat and he's losing a lot of guard hairs. He was always outdoors, so there was a lot of dust in there, but I think there must have been a bit of malnutrition too. Any suggestions on a course of treatment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildFlower Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Have you tried adding fish oil to his meals? Also, just an improvement in the quality of food may help, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloria Atwater Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I'd say better diet is the best bet! If he's been eating doggie junk food, his system may react to higher quality food, so keep some pumpkin or shredded coconut on hand in case he gets diarrhea. But quality food, some fish/salmon oil, and maybe even a scrambled egg with his meal should begin to do the trick. Cheers ~ Gloria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancy in AZ Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Sam, all three of my dogs came to me with coats that were in deplorable condition, much as you've described. It usually resolved on its own with better diet (and I'm guessing, diminished stress levels that come from being in a secure environment). Last year Kit's coat became very dry and brittle from her shoulders back. I feared she was hypothyroid or possibly cushingoid, or had some other health issue going on. I had her blood work sent to Hemopet (Dr. Jean Dodds) and the results came back normal. So I started giving her 3000mg of fish oil daily. The improvement was so significant that my vet was amazed at her soft shiny coat the next time she saw her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Moon Posted February 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Thanks folks! Cerb gets fish oil every day so I'm starting Max on it too...as soon as he starts eating. No matter the temprament of the foster...none of them seems to want to eat for a day or two. Is there something topical I can use in the short term? A friend who is a groomer said she uses cheap hair conditioner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Moon Posted February 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Sam, all three of my dogs came to me with coats that were in deplorable condition, much as you've described. It usually resolved on its own with better diet (and I'm guessing, diminished stress levels that come from being in a secure environment). Last year Kit's coat became very dry and brittle from her shoulders back. I feared she was hypothyroid or possibly cushingoid, or had some other health issue going on. I had her blood work sent to Hemopet (Dr. Jean Dodds) and the results came back normal. So I started giving her 3000mg of fish oil daily. The improvement was so significant that my vet was amazed at her soft shiny coat the next time she saw her. I get all sorts of compliments on Cerb's coat and I firmly believe it's the fish oil. I flip him a tablet every morning when I'm taking mine. He gobbles them like candy. I just have to stay away from Cruella DeVille. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc friend Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I don't know about anything topical but the more you brush him, the more the oil at the base of the hair will spread into his coat. It's not an overnight solution but it does help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaBluez Tess Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I feed my dogs Dynamite dog food with their Showdown supplement. I also feed them the RedPaw fat which makes their coat nice and glossy. It has helped a lot wiht the old dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushdoggie Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 If the coat is clean and unsmelly, and not tangled, brushing regularly with a nice soft bristle brush if hes shortish coated or a zoom groom if hes not will expedite the damaged dry fur falling out and the body oils from distributing...and its a pleasant bonding activity as well that many dogs find comforting...its massage-y. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyTDogs Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 Thanks folks! Cerb gets fish oil every day so I'm starting Max on it too...as soon as he starts eating. No matter the temprament of the foster...none of them seems to want to eat for a day or two. Is there something topical I can use in the short term? A friend who is a groomer said she uses cheap hair conditioner. I LOVE Essential 6. It has a lovely fresh clean scent & makes even the softest coats just that much softer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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