Baron's tail

[moondog]

I noticed today that he has a patch of thinning hair on his tail. I checked it out and he has what looks to be dandruff, but I don't think it is. It is one patch about 3x1 inches. It's flaky and I think it's what has been bothering him. I was actually going to post about how he has been really itchy lately and I couldn't figure it out. I have inspected him every time he gnaws at himself and I couldn't find anything until I noticed this spot on his tail. It is almost a light yellow color and a scab like consistency. Any idea what it may be and how to treat it? It's not oozy or anything, it's dry and crusty, yum, I know!

[krb0471]

Ask him to sit and see if he sits on his tail in that spot. We have a chronic issue with this. Oil in the diet helps. Once a year it gets so bad and bald - usually as fall starts for some reason.

[Delynnr]

My parents dog has environmental allergies - and she has spots that sounds exactly like Baron's. They have her on a TOTW (salmon) and this helped a lot. Maybe the omega 3s, but in the summer she gets really crusty in patches all over her body. My parents have a medicated shampoo from the vet that she gets every week. They put it in with a wet towel, rub it in, and then let it sit for 10 mins while she is in the cone of shame to keep her from licking. After 10 mins it gets washed off. Between the diet and the wash it is kept under control, but she still loses hair.

[SapheraGirl]

No matter what I fed Saphera she had dry, flaky skin (I've used Orijen, Buffalo Blue, etc). I started adding fish oil to her breakfast and her skin is SOOOO much better. Her fur is siky soft too. I could see the results fairly quickly.

Keep us posted. Good luck.

[moondog]

Well I asked him to sit several times, 9 out of 10 he doesnt sit on his tail at all!
Its really strange because its the only part of his body that looks this way. I have some medicated shampoo that I use when he is on his yeast treatment that I will let sit on it for a while and see if that helps.

[Yeti_Girl]

Copper had this a couple times. We used some of the shampoo and then put in derm caps (i think that's what they're called) in his food for a week or so and the flakey cleared up pretty quick.

[SapheraGirl]

What about a shampoo like Nioxin? I know some people who have used it on their children when their kids had ezema. My only concern would be licking the tail after the wash...I don't know about ingesting it.

[Lora]

Almost sounds like cradle cap it its crusty yellow

[moondog]

It sure is Lora. What is cradle cap? going to look it up!

[moondog]

ew. thats pretty much what it looks like. wonder if it would be okay to put some bag balm on it for a while, then wash it off.

[Yeti_Girl]

dogs get cradle cap? who knew?!

for dylans (and ya, still gets it) we use head and shoulders shampoo. and baby oil.

[ToBScholarly]

I vote you give him fish oil or sardines daily. And see how it looks in about a week.

[ShilohsGirlJen]

I see nothing wrong eith using a little bag balm.

[Yeti_Girl]

i know...i am SURE it is environmental allergies and he needs to come stay with me for a little while.

[Lora]

Did a little reading and tbh I'd go get
It checked out for sure. It could be any number of things from allergies to infection or a sign of hypothyroidism or even mange. I'd let the vet decide on this one and suggest a course of action. But I'm a total hypochondriac theses days.....

[moondog]

Well I have an appointment Friday for my kitten to get his shots. I called and Im going to take Baron in also so he can look at his tail. Fingers crossed its an easy fix!!

and Amy, too bad we aren't closer because then you could watch him while we are on our honeymoon! And Im sure his problem would disapear

[moondog]

So we went to the vet on Friday....and he has fleas???? Ew! Aparently the stuff on his tail is from an allergic reaction. They gave him some meds and a antihistamine shot. I have never seen a flea on him, in my house, or on my cats so I was truely shocked when the vet found two on him. We bombed our house and everyone got a dose of frontline/revolution. I pray we get this under control, FAST. I hate the thought of those damn things being on my animals and in my house. YUCK!!!!!!

[Hounds_N_Leo]

Saph...don't blue dogs often have skin issues due to zinc levels? Might consider that. I know it's a BIG problem in Blue Dobes.

Fleas....we had those some this season from fostering the kittens. It happens. Use some stuff for your carpet too, the stuff you vacuum up. Frontline spray is supposed to be good stuff but WATCH IT around cats...the typically have really strong reactions to the spray version. Ours get stoned for a couple hours just from the topical!

[SapheraGirl]

Hmm - I'm not sure to be honest (about the zinc). Shaphera has had skin issues in the past but it was due to a chicken allergy. Off to research.

[Baroooo]

IME blue swissies don't have any of the skin/physical problems associated with colour dilution in other breeds. None of those I've known, or the one I own, are any different in their medical needs than a normal tricolour swissy.