Baldness in dogs can be very upsetting for the owner. To a dog, it makes not one iota of difference. You will never see a dog sitting in front of a mirror fretting about the bald patch on its back. Nor will it refuse to go to the park without wearing a 'hijab'. But that bald patch can be a symptom of something going on in your pet's system. It could be hormonal, mange, ringworm or just plain old stress.
Stress hair loss
Dogs, like people, can suffer from stress. The causes can vary from house moving, being left alone for long periods of time, being constantly yelled at, or a death in the family. On the other hand, if your dog is a worrier about the state of the world or why no one smelled his bottom, or is exposed to a high level of stress for a prolonged period of time, they may begin to lose their coat as a result. The coat will begin to grow back normally when the cause of the stress is removed and the dog gets back on an even keel.
Endocrine disorder
Alopecia without an obvious external cause
Hormonal imbalances leading to conditions such as hyperthyroidism and canine Cushing's disease, can both potentially lead to alopecia in the dog, where the alopecia is an effect rather than a cause of the illness. Both of these illnesses can be potentially serious and do require veterinary intervention, so if you can rule out any of the other potential causes of alopecia in your dog, then its important to go to the vet for testing.
When my dogs show signs of bald patches on their body, I give them a tea spoonful of cod liver or olive oil in their food every day for 3 months, increase the veggie content (supermarket tins of own brand mushy peas and grated carrots), and a good multi vitamin pill, ie Vetzyme or Bob Martin's, plus a daily brush down. If, after 3 weeks, they are still losing hair then a trip to the vet is recommended as it could be some other health problem that will need treatment with steroids.Start your dog on a course of Brewer's Yeast available from Holland and Barratt or any other health food shop. I have had good results by using this, not only on the dog, but in helping my own alopecia.
The homeopathic remedy, Sulphur, (available on line from Weleda, Nelson's Pharmacy or Ainsworth's Pharmacy) is another good tip. Given in the dog's food 3x 2 pills 3 times a day for 3 weeks, then reduced to 1 tablet three times a day until you notice an improvement, really makes a huge difference to its coat and you will see results within 3 months. Make sure you take before and after pictures as a record of how well the home remedies work.
This 'n that ................................................
O....M.....G! following the news of poisoned food, now this in Regent's Park!
Army of snakes ‘capable of crushing small children’ discovered in Regent’s Canal
A colony of snakes capable of crushing small children or pets to death have been reported in London.
Around 30 Aesculapian snakes have been seen in buildings and trees near to Regent’s Canal in the capital over the last few weeks, according to the Daily Star.
The reptiles look similar to grass snakes, so they may have been living in the area of a long period dismissed as harmless until the head keeper of reptiles at London Zoo spotted one, and confirmed it to be an Aesculapian snake.
A number of theories have arisen as to how the snakes first arrived at Regent’s Canal, with the animals most likely escaping from captivity. The species prefer mild temperatures and are often found around riverbeds of southern Europe.
Eeeeuw!
Around 30 Aesculapian snakes have been seen in buildings and trees near to Regent’s Canal in the capital over the last few weeks, according to the Daily Star.
The reptiles look similar to grass snakes, so they may have been living in the area of a long period dismissed as harmless until the head keeper of reptiles at London Zoo spotted one, and confirmed it to be an Aesculapian snake.
A number of theories have arisen as to how the snakes first arrived at Regent’s Canal, with the animals most likely escaping from captivity. The species prefer mild temperatures and are often found around riverbeds of southern Europe.
Eeeeuw!
Bet you never knew this .........
Dandelions are thriving at the moment. The bright yellow flowers turn into round white seed-heads – that's the thing you blow while making a wish (if all the seeds come off first time, your wish will come true) – and their name comes from the Old French 'dent-de-lion' meaning deep-toothed. But before you chuck them on the compost, don't forget you can eat them: young buds fried in butter taste similar to mushrooms, although we've missed the boat a bit because they're best before the flowers appear. Or try making dandelion wine, cooking up the roots or steaming the leaves. I can tell you that they taste a bit like chicory or endive.
Is it a bird? Is it a bee? Is it a wasp? There is a difference.
A few years ago, the National Trust carried out an online survey of 1,651 adults across the UK, and reported that half of them couldn't tell the difference between a bee and a wasp. So next time you're out and about, why not think about helping the adults by shouting "bee" or "wasp" really loudly when you see one? And please! don't stamp on them because you think it might sting you. They won't unless you disturb it when it is busy nectar collecting. Wasps, on the other hand, look different to bees and have only one purpose in life and that's to find a jam sandwich and then sting the owner.
Here's your commercial break. Absolutely nothing to do with dogs but it will give you a giggle nonetheless. (Thanks to Barbara Barbour for this).
It's a 43 second commercial and the sponsor isn't identified until the final few seconds. It will give you a chuckle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?feature=player_embedded&v=9WoM2bHfr48#t=0
That's it for this month.
Dawn (..")
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