Dry, dull fur

[Annette47]

Oban's coat was glorious on the raw food diet, BARF. Now, post knowledge of Lymphangiectasia and on a kibble approved by the INternal Specialist Vet (who does not like raw) and following the usual diet recommendations for this ailment, a low fat diet, his coat is still better than when I rotated three higher fat kibbles. Not dull, harsh and mildly dandruffy like it was. And the kibble is only 10% fat. He is on TCM too, no way to tell which is having the most beneficial impact on the coat.

Chloe has a gorgeous coat on a very low fat kibble too. I don’t think it’s all about the diet - I think there are other systemic factors at work.

[SunDance]

This seems to be true for Oban. Post Lymphangiectasia diagnosis and correction of that gut issue he is no longer itchy and is off the allergy meds, Atopica, and all the other things we tried. And his coat is better. BUT, how does one diagnose a gut issue? Early enough to forestall the associated problems? We had a clue I guess, low albumin. But no other symptoms and since what's low here was considered low normal in the UK we decided that was just him. That was discovered after I opted for the blood work part of a wellness test after being on the Atopica for one summer and itching for three summers. Maybe my VEt should have been more proactive on that? But Oban didn't itch in winter, how is one to guess a gut issue might be causing a summer only itch?

Oban's coat was glorious on the raw food diet, BARF. Now, post knowledge of Lymphangiectasia and on a kibble approved by the INternal Specialist Vet (who does not like raw) and following the usual diet recommendations for this ailment, a low fat diet, his coat is still better than when I rotated three higher fat kibbles. Not dull, harsh and mildly dandruffy like it was. And the kibble is only 10% fat. He is on TCM too, no way to tell which is having the most beneficial impact on the coat.

Hey, Nancy...Oban could have a sensitivity to the food that your animal protein source is eating at different times of the year (e.g., grass-fed vs. hay-fed). That doesn't make identifying food as the source any easier but it can explain the issue. This also applies to why some batches of nuts or whatever might not give a problem but others will...cross-pollenization and also water source for seasonal watering and what's in the soil in different places. It's enough to make you crazy if you're sensitive to a lot of things.

[Annette47]

Hey, Nancy...Oban could have a sensitivity to the food that your animal protein source is eating at different times of the year (e.g., grass-fed vs. hay-fed). That doesn't make identifying food as the source any easier but it can explain the issue. This also applies to why some batches of nuts or whatever might not give a problem but others will...cross-pollenization and also water source for seasonal watering and what's in the soil in different places. It's enough to make you crazy if you're sensitive to a lot of things.

You know, that makes so much sense when it comes to food allergies, but I’d never thought about it! (Thankfully we have no human or dog food allergies in our family).

[Snowshoe]

WE didn't think Oban had sensitivity to food at all though. We thought he had seasonal environmental allergies. We thought his stomach was made of cast iron since dead frogs, horse poop and dead fish went in and out without a hitch and food switches could be made cold turkey. Ironically his Nutriscan did say he was allergic to turkey, which was his recovery diet for three months, and again, not only No problems on it but improved on it. Tell me about crazy.

[Meeps83]

Small update. Fecal was negative. We gave Mav a nice rinse and finger scrub. We didn't blow him dry because I don't have a hair dryer. I did towel dry him though. I've been brushing him out with a rake and I stopped the coconut oil. Investing it in any amount gives him the runs and if Poptop is right and it was collecting dust on his fur and making him look dull, I stopped rubbing it in. While his coat still doesn't look great, it is a bit softer and shinier. Hopefully as I continue to work out the dead hair it will improve.


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[Bernie]

Small update. Fecal was negative. We gave Mav a nice rinse and finger scrub. We didn't blow him dry because I don't have a hair dryer. I did towel dry him though. I've been brushing him out with a rake and I stopped the coconut oil. Investing it in any amount gives him the runs and if Poptop is right and it was collecting dust on his fur and making him look dull, I stopped rubbing it in. While his coat still doesn't look great, it is a bit softer and shinier. Hopefully as I continue to work out the dead hair it will improve.



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You have tried oatmeal shampoo right? When I wash him, never in the winter, it's the only stuff I'll use.

[Meeps83]

Another update, I've been raking him out daily and he's decided that he loves being brushed. His coat is actually pretty thick so I think I'm going to invest in a double rake. I've worked out quite a bit of dead hair from the undercoat. The guard hair still feels rough, but after I get a real good brush in his coat always feels better. He seems to have horrible dandruff as I'm brushing him. Do you think it's from the dead hair I'm working up? I haven't really been seeing much when I'm not brushing, that's why I ask. I am actually seeing some shine back in his coat. From his shoulders forward is shiny and halfway up his rib cage down is shiny. I've worked up a lot of hair over his back, his butt, and his tail, which I'm guessing is because those spots are harder to itch. I'll continue doing this.

I don't bathe the dogs...like ever. Do you think I should when shedding gets really bad? Can you recommend a NON OATMEAL shampoo? Due to Maverick's yeast, an oatmeal shampoo would serve no purpose other than to irritate him and make him itchier.

[Snowshoe]

I wonder if the recently poor coat is just a particularly heavy shed? I've noticed some are heavy, some are not. And yes, I see dandruff when brushing out a shed that I don't usually. When the shed is gone or most is brushed out that day it seems to subside. Oban most often obligingly rolls in something stinky that won't hose out just before a nursing home visit so he often gets a bath in a shed. It does get a lot of hair out, enough to block the drain in my laundry tub.

Before we resolved the itch by ending the gut issue I tried many shampoos before settling on Furrever Devoted Medicated Shampoo. It seems be one of their few that doesn't have oatmeal. However all the shampoos I tried previously were recommended by someone who had good luck with it on their dog so no guarantees this will help Maverick.

Medicated Dog Shampoo by furrever devotedâ„¢

[dxboon]

Another update, I've been raking him out daily and he's decided that he loves being brushed. His coat is actually pretty thick so I think I'm going to invest in a double rake. I've worked out quite a bit of dead hair from the undercoat. The guard hair still feels rough, but after I get a real good brush in his coat always feels better. He seems to have horrible dandruff as I'm brushing him. Do you think it's from the dead hair I'm working up? I haven't really been seeing much when I'm not brushing, that's why I ask. I am actually seeing some shine back in his coat. From his shoulders forward is shiny and halfway up his rib cage down is shiny. I've worked up a lot of hair over his back, his butt, and his tail, which I'm guessing is because those spots are harder to itch. I'll continue doing this.

I don't bathe the dogs...like ever. Do you think I should when shedding gets really bad? Can you recommend a NON OATMEAL shampoo? Due to Maverick's yeast, an oatmeal shampoo would serve no purpose other than to irritate him and make him itchier.

I use Isle of Dogs #33 coarse coat shampoo. You might want to regularly hose Maverick off with only cool water. The cold water helps loosen undercoat that's ready to drop and encourages new hair growth. Dandruff could be from a lot of things, brushing loosening skin flakes, or nervousness/excitement.

[SunDance]

Dandruff with a good brushing...especially if the brushing isn't already routine...is to be expected.

The shampoo I use is sensitive Pet Head...but that's got oatmeal.