Thin coat - result of atopy?

[Ilona & Gina]

Gina is an atopic dermatitis dog. We manage without cortison, food, supplements, shampoo, clean house every day (yes, it's work).

Although her coat is looks beautiful and glossy, it is very thin. She hardly has any fur on her chest and her belly. In contrast, her brother Anton is a real "hairy guy". He's not atopic, the lucky dog.

I don't know if that is normal (we German Sheperds and a Bobtail before, so there's no comparison).

And when I take her to the vet, I'm afraid he'lll pump her with cortison.
It could be her thyroid, her kidneys, don't know what, I am just worried.

Does anybody have an idea what this could be or if I can ask the vet for bloodtests to make sure she's alright? I just don't want the vet to pump her with yet another load of cortison.

Thank you for ideas
Ilona

[Michelle Webster]

It could be thyroid, so you should have her tested. If it is thyroid, the vet will not prescribe cortisone , but soloxine for thyroid. Also try adding raw spinach chopped up to her food, but it's important to ge the thyroid checked anyway.
Best wishes,
Michelle

[Catherine Carter]

How old is Gina? If her coat is glossy she may not have anything wrong with her.....also bitches tend to have less coat than dogs.

[Susan Stone]

Hi Ilona,

before getting overly worried I suggest you contact the breeder and ask about the pups parents and what kind of coat they have. Depending on the line of breeding coats differ greatly in Irish Setters - even in siblings. The male will always have a more profuse coat to the female and the bitch often drops her coat depending on her hormone status. Normally a bitch will begin to shed her coat around 4 months after her last season and the new coat will not grow until after her next season! (this can be a nuisance when wanting to show...)

Being atopic may however be a sign of an underlying problem like thyroid. I would find a vet you can trust and discuss the problem. You may also be interested in this site about immune-related desease, Sandy Waterton who runs this site is also a setter owner:-))

all the best
Susan

[Ilona & Gina]

Hi everyone,

I don't know how to reply too all your answers - thank you so much for your tips. I've just changed the vet and will make an appointment to have her fully checked, especially for hypothyroidism (is it spelt right?). I've also signed up on Sandy Waterton's site. To Catherine: Gina is 13 months old, and her coat is glossy. Recently I noticed that some ine hair is growing on her tummy (I am sooo happy).

Michelle, thank you for the tip with the raw spinach. Will give it a try.

Susan, thank you for comforting me - Gina's mother Stormy doesn't look like a show dog. However, I'll have Gina checked anyway.

Ilona

[Michelle Webster]

Let us know how you get on. And yes, you did spell hypothyroidism correctly.