White GSD issues

musicmaan · 11-18-2012, 04:50 PM

Hi all, I'm new to the site, and this would be my first post... I have a 4 year old female White German Shepherd. As far as I can remember, she has had pink skin, but all the information I have found states that white Shepherds should have dark skin.

The problem we're having is, she sheds like a devil, much more than normal shedding. When I brush her, which is often, it seems to grow as fast as I can brush it... I can brush the same spot for ever, and the fur just keeps coming. My vet said she is probably allergic to something. So, first we got rid of the cedar chip dog bed.. no change. I was told some dogs are allergic to chicken, so I've tried many dog foods without chicken products. I just switched her food a couple weeks ago now to Orijen 6 fish blend. It hasn't made a difference yet, but if it doesn't, I'm running out of ideas. The only other thing I can think of, is the tap water that she gets in her dish might be the problem?? Any one ever had this as a problem??

Any help would be greatly appreciated. The vet in the town I live in I feel is not the greatest.

Thank you,

MM

Speedy2662 · 11-18-2012, 05:15 PM

Where do you live? Different places have different tap water...

musicmaan · 11-18-2012, 05:24 PM

On the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada... our tap water doesn't have much chlorine in it compared to most major cities, but it's the only other thing that I can think of, and will be the next change.

GatorBytes · 11-18-2012, 05:49 PM

Borderline hypothyroidism. Very specifically find a vet who will send bloodwork to Hemopet.

Dog Hypothyroidism Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

musicmaan · 11-18-2012, 07:45 PM

Thank you for the reply... just looking at the link you posted, the only symptom out of all of them that she has, would be the hair loss. She is most definitely not lacking in the energy department, not aggressive in any way, and not gaining weight. She's a thin dog, as are a few of her 11 siblings.

I will check with the local vet this week and see about some bloodwork.

MM

Whiteshepherds · 11-18-2012, 08:24 PM

Is the excessive shedding something that just started or has she always been this way? Is she getting bald spots?

Scarlettsmom · 11-18-2012, 08:26 PM

Is she a coated white GSD or a shorter coat? Our Stock Long Coat White GSD is a major non-stop shedder. It's hard for us to tell when she is blowing her coat...it's just a constant shed-a-thon. I can brush her everyday and get a huge amount of hair.

I think it seems like she sheds so much because of the long hair and the many different kinds of hair that she has.

GatorBytes · 11-18-2012, 08:28 PM

Glad you read it. Keep in mind, the article notes gray area....soemwhere between hypothyroid and not but heading to. When in this area, natural suppliments like kelp can be added to the diet (contains Iodine).

Reg. T4 blood work will only show a thyroid shut down. Check the links (in blue) from that link as well to read up on adrenal disorders - namely cushings...prevention is key.

Let us know what you find

ChancetheGSD · 11-18-2012, 08:37 PM

Does she have hair loss or just excessive shedding because those are two totally different things. If it's just massive shedding, well...Some dogs shed more than others. Not sure if you've ever had a German Shepherd before or not but they're nicknamed "German Shedders" for a reason. Most will shed a decent size pile, especially when blowing coat.

As for the skin, could you post pictures? If she's always had pink skin and never any problems (ie. rashes) then it's probably normal pigment for her.

musicmaan · 11-18-2012, 10:08 PM

Yeah, she's always had pink skin (as far as I can remember) But no rashes, dandruff, and she's never scratching or gnawing anywhere. She seems healthy other than the shedding. I don't see any bald spots, and i don't think I would call it excessive hair loss. She did have worms a couple months ago, so we treated her for that. Her scat looks healthy now.

I grew up with a shepherd, and don't remember anywhere near the shedding I have to deal with now. She always has been a shed demon, but it seems to be getting really bad right now, and it's getting in to winter here with colder temperatures, so she shouldn't be blowing her coat.

MM

11-18-2012, 04:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
musicmaan New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 7	White GSD issues Hi all, I'm new to the site, and this would be my first post... I have a 4 year old female White German Shepherd. As far as I can remember, she has had pink skin, but all the information I have found states that white Shepherds should have dark skin. The problem we're having is, she sheds like a devil, much more than normal shedding. When I brush her, which is often, it seems to grow as fast as I can brush it... I can brush the same spot for ever, and the fur just keeps coming. My vet said she is probably allergic to something. So, first we got rid of the cedar chip dog bed.. no change. I was told some dogs are allergic to chicken, so I've tried many dog foods without chicken products. I just switched her food a couple weeks ago now to Orijen 6 fish blend. It hasn't made a difference yet, but if it doesn't, I'm running out of ideas. The only other thing I can think of, is the tap water that she gets in her dish might be the problem?? Any one ever had this as a problem?? Any help would be greatly appreciated. The vet in the town I live in I feel is not the greatest. Thank you, MM

11-18-2012, 05:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Speedy2662 Master Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: UK Posts: 501	Where do you live? Different places have different tap water... __________________ Zack: 9/9/12 - Living like a king Potty trained! Yay Tricks Known: Sit Down Give Paw Bang! (Play Dead) Leave it Come (In progress!)

11-18-2012, 05:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
GatorBytes Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 2,140	Borderline hypothyroidism. Very specifically find a vet who will send bloodwork to Hemopet. Dog Hypothyroidism Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention __________________ He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. - Unknown

11-18-2012, 08:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
Scarlettsmom Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Chesapeake, VA...but longing for CO Posts: 1,409	Is she a coated white GSD or a shorter coat? Our Stock Long Coat White GSD is a major non-stop shedder. It's hard for us to tell when she is blowing her coat...it's just a constant shed-a-thon. I can brush her everyday and get a huge amount of hair. I think it seems like she sheds so much because of the long hair and the many different kinds of hair that she has. __________________ Scarlett WGSD 2/07 CGC TDI(retired) Paige Husky/GSD mix 2/95-12/08 If you are going through hades, keep going!

11-18-2012, 08:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
GatorBytes Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 2,140	Glad you read it. Keep in mind, the article notes gray area....soemwhere between hypothyroid and not but heading to. When in this area, natural suppliments like kelp can be added to the diet (contains Iodine). Reg. T4 blood work will only show a thyroid shut down. Check the links (in blue) from that link as well to read up on adrenal disorders - namely cushings...prevention is key. Let us know what you find __________________ He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. - Unknown

11-18-2012, 05:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
musicmaan New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 7	On the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada... our tap water doesn't have much chlorine in it compared to most major cities, but it's the only other thing that I can think of, and will be the next change.

11-18-2012, 07:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
musicmaan New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 7	Thank you for the reply... just looking at the link you posted, the only symptom out of all of them that she has, would be the hair loss. She is most definitely not lacking in the energy department, not aggressive in any way, and not gaining weight. She's a thin dog, as are a few of her 11 siblings. I will check with the local vet this week and see about some bloodwork. MM

11-18-2012, 08:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Whiteshepherds Knighted Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Northeastern Connecticut Posts: 3,373	Is the excessive shedding something that just started or has she always been this way? Is she getting bald spots?

11-18-2012, 08:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
ChancetheGSD Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,306	Does she have hair loss or just excessive shedding because those are two totally different things. If it's just massive shedding, well...Some dogs shed more than others. Not sure if you've ever had a German Shepherd before or not but they're nicknamed "German Shedders" for a reason. Most will shed a decent size pile, especially when blowing coat. As for the skin, could you post pictures? If she's always had pink skin and never any problems (ie. rashes) then it's probably normal pigment for her.

11-18-2012, 10:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
musicmaan New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 7	Yeah, she's always had pink skin (as far as I can remember) But no rashes, dandruff, and she's never scratching or gnawing anywhere. She seems healthy other than the shedding. I don't see any bald spots, and i don't think I would call it excessive hair loss. She did have worms a couple months ago, so we treated her for that. Her scat looks healthy now. I grew up with a shepherd, and don't remember anywhere near the shedding I have to deal with now. She always has been a shed demon, but it seems to be getting really bad right now, and it's getting in to winter here with colder temperatures, so she shouldn't be blowing her coat. MM Last edited by musicmaan; 11-18-2012 at 10:11 PM.

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