I'm wondering if he needs more fresh food or I don't know what. We popped into the grocery store today (ME! That was my rehab for the day, darned foot). Got some ground chicken and chicken hearts and cooked some up and gave all three dogs a bit with the latest batch of cooked/pureed veg (three small brussel sprouts, some broccoli, a sweet potato, large carrot, 2/3rds an orange pepper, 1/3rd zucchini). This batch of veg and meat should last the next couple of days, it's not part of their meals.

 

edit: I think I misread the original post, so not sure my post is relevant or makes sense. Please ignore. If the mods feel like it, please delete. Sorry about that. Thanks 🙏

If I’m not mistaken, any over supplementation or deficiency can accumulate over time to eventually cause symptoms. So even if a diet is a bit unbalanced, then over time the effect can accumulate to something large.

For example in humans, there are some nutrients which the body can excrete if there is excess (most B vitamins?), and others which it cannot (I guess the fat soluble ones like Vit A,C,E,K). Iron accumulates too - that’s why people are supposed to be careful with iron supplementation.

So if it were me - I would start fresh with a carefully balanced diet. Then whatever vegetables etc I were adding, I would select vegetables based on their nutritional contribution, and how they may be addressing a specific requirement, and think about how much quantity makes sense so that the diet remains balanced.

It is my understanding that thyroid issues have specific symptoms - I am not sure if they affect one’s coat, but there are other symptoms that I guess you may notice.

I believe not all fish oils are equal, both in type or manufacturer. I believe depending on the supplement and how much, can make a dog deficient in Vitamin E.

Karen Beckers book goes into most things in sufficient detail, and I think the meals would be easy to follow in Canada. The supplements she suggests (specific brands and quantities) should be easily available in the US so I guess Canada too. If you follow those meals, there are tables and calculations already done, and comparison with Aafco requirements, so you can see where what you’re feeding stands compared to a commercial preparation.
It also makes it easier to be deliberate about changes and think about how changing one component of the diet affects the overall balance.
The book is easy to follow and doesn’t take long to read. I feel peace of mind after reading it, and seeing my dogs energy levels, behavior and poop over time. I guess it makes it easier to log and discuss with one’s vet too.

 

edit: I think I misread the original post, so not sure my post is relevant or makes sense. Please ignore. If the mods feel like it, please delete. Sorry about that. Thanks 🙏

If I’m not mistaken, any over supplementation or deficiency can accumulate over time to eventually cause symptoms. So even if a diet is a bit unbalanced, then over time the effect can accumulate to something

For example in humans, there are some nutrients which the body can excrete if there is excess (most B vitamins?), and others which it cannot (I guess the fat soluble ones like Vit A,C,E,K). Iron accumulates too - that’s why people are supposed to be careful with iron supplementation.

So if it were me - I would start fresh with a carefully balanced diet. Then whatever vegetables etc I were adding, I would select vegetables based on their nutritional contribution, and how they may be addressing a specific requirement, and think about how much quantity makes sense so that the diet remains balanced.

It is my understanding that thyroid issues have specific symptoms - I am not sure if they affect one’s coat, but there are other symptoms that I guess you may notice.

I believe not all fish oils are equal, both in type or manufacturer. I believe depending on the supplement and how much, can make a dog deficient in Vitamin E.

Karen Beckers book goes into most things in sufficient detail, and I think the meals would be easy to follow in Canada. The supplements she suggests (specific brands and quantities) should be easily available in the US so I guess Canada too. If you follow those meals, there are tables and calculations already done, and comparison with Aafco requirements, so you can see where what you’re feeding stands compared to a commercial preparation.
It also makes it easier to be deliberate about changes and think about how changing one component of the diet affects the overall balance.
The book is easy to follow and doesn’t take long to read. I feel peace of mind after reading it, and seeing my dogs energy levels, behavior and poop over time. I guess it makes it easier to log and discuss with one’s vet too.

I think the supplementation is so recent (like a week and a bit, maybe two weeks) and this has been gradual. Everyone but me thinks his coat is fine. So I don’t know.

@Dunkirk he looooves tripe! I’ve been thinking about that too!

@Sabis mom I think Toby is just very stressed about Agis but yes was unimpressed by the comment. Neb used to be Toby’s “boy” and still is but now Agis is Toby’s “BOY” but I’m here to pick up the slack with Neb.

I also worry if he’s getting enough protein (food is 29%) as he is in the muscle wasting phase.

and of course money with respect to diet is an issue - especially if Agis needs a special diet - we will see. In the meantime doing what I can!

 

Nitro will be 10 in February, and he's doing a major shed. He now has a lot of grey/silver, which has a very slightly different texture to his 'original' coat. As getting up is harder for him, the side of his coat facing up is groomed better than the side he lies on. He has a favourite side. Old age makes a difference.

I've started adding freeze dried green tripe to his food. It's highly palatable. I've put some of it through my food processor so I can sprinkle it on top or fold it through his home cooked meals.

https://www.petcircle.com.au/product/k9-natural-lamb-green-tripe-grain-free-freeze-dried-topper/106fd57g

 

Shadows coat has definitely changed over the last year, so maybe it's an age thing?
However, do keep in mind that anytime there is a major diet change they may experience changes in the coat. When I first switched to raw Shadows coat went to ****, then she started shedding and would not stop.
I hope that's all it is. Give the old guy a pat from me!

Also for Toby, a gentle reminder

The words we say are scratches deep,
Upon the surface bare;
We can remove the varnish, but
The markings are still there.
Some things there are we cannot mend,
Or wrest to former glow;
For once the grain is scored in pain,
The scars will ever show.

Poem by Roxie Lusk Smith

 

Deja's coat is getting the older-dog look; less sleek and a bit woolier looking. Combined with less clear eyes, she is my new old-girl

 

i call Fern an oldie but a goodie!

 

Few months ago whilst Buffy went through the elimination diet for 8 weeks with Royal Cain, I did notice her coat was less shiny and soft. Husband didn't think so but what does he know? 😂 Neb has been with you for such a long time, you know him best! Can't advise whether it's because of his thyroid or age as I don't have enough experience to comment. Since Buffy came off the kibble, her coat has been back to normal, shiny and soft. I add 1.7ml of wheatgerm oil in her dinner every night for Vitamin E and two tins of sardines every week. Maybe it's something to think about? As you know, I learn as I go regarding anything about dog care so it's just my own take.

 

@3ymum husbands never know haha!

thanks everyone! It probably is winter coat plus but we shall see. I think I will see if there’s tweaks to be made that work from a space perspective (small apt kitchen) and financial one. Agis’s DNA is almost ready so we should know more soon

 

Zelda's coat has changed a lot in quality and texture with age. Which I believe is fairly normal, and you are already doing fishoil and other supplements.

Sometimes a good quality groom, (first brush out), then a really good bath with skin-sensitive shampoo, and quality conditioner, after a full blowout with a high velocity dryer to push away dead skin cells and fur (from brushing before bath will help loosen it) can help the quality of the fur, as it helps the skin to breathe and removes dead skin, and promotes growth and even healing.

But it also has to be managed internally. (Promoting growth and skin breathability is important from a quality groom, but if diet isn't working or lack of a nutrient it wont help long term)


I personally have a thyroid (hypothyroid) from an autoimmune disease that attacks my thyroid and so I take thyroid medications, my own hair has become brittle, dry, and an absolute nightmare to handle. I have naturally thick curly hair, and it has got to a point where I just want to shave my head lol
I know in humans it's possible to have symptoms of hyper and hypo at the same time depending on the functioning ability of the thyroid, the medication, and the dose of the medication (as the thyroid starts to deteriorate with time, medication has to be adjusted a lot, as you pointed out your plan to get it checked again)

So really it could be a mixture of many things! Age, thyroid, environment, needing a quality groom, lack of a nutrient.


I am thinking what a wonderful thing to have an almost 16 year old baby dog <3 What a blessing!!
I'm sure you have posted pictures before, but I LOVE senior dogs, they absolutely melt my heart and I would love to see a picture of Neb!

 

I think we might have the same thyroid condition @VTGirlT - but that’s a point about symptoms of both.

I don’t trust any of the big groomers around us to be gentle enough - he’s never been groomed - probably silly. I think a store near us has a wash your own pet station…he’s mostly done his shed but yeah. I broke my foot and can’t walk that far yet but that’s a thought.

As for pics! Of course! Here are some from some camping trips he and I did on our own in October!

 

Oh my goodness, the goodest boy!! <3 And in beautiful nature at that! Love these photos, what treasures!


And I completely understand about not trusting some of your local dog groomers, as a previous dog groomer I've seen some dog groomers do borderline abusive things to get dogs in and out, but there are the dog groomer gems of the world who treat them their like own babies but hard to find for sure, and you don't know unless you KNOW. I worked for a man who was considered the "dog whisperer" but he was the complete opposite... So you are right to trust your instincts!


Hopefully you can get some answers soon, whether its from his thyroid bloodwork.