Dry, dull fur - Poppy not quite right

[FayRose]

Clingy at times, and yet will go away from us and lie down in the garden. Seems a bit nervous on walks, keeps coming back to me for reassurance. OH thinks she has a tummy upset or possible blockage; I think she has a pre-seizure aura.

This sounds very much like our BJ's behaviour prior to a seizure, particularly seeking reassurance and needing to be close.

Good luck with finding out what's troubling her and I hope she's back to normal soon x

 

[MellowYellow]

OH says he just found a puddle of pee on the bathroom floor. Maybe she did it in the night, maybe she had a small seizure in the night already.

 

[Boogie]

Yes, it may be worth a thyroid test. My Boogie had an under active thyroid and his fur went very dry before he went on the medication.

It did him no harm, he lived a healthy 19 years.
.

 

[snowbunny]

Oh, poor Poppy. It must be so hard for you all.

Seeing how quickly Willow's coat goes bad when she's stressed, I think that it could quite easily be linked to the feeling of an oncoming (or recent) seizure. Poor girl.
You said before how you had noticed the seizures when there was disruption in the house -maybe Toby had gone away, if I recall? Can you think of any triggers this time?

 

[Charlie]

Poor girl. I hope you get to the bottom of this Karen. So stressful for you. xx

 

[MellowYellow]

You said before how you had noticed the seizures when there was disruption in the house -maybe Toby had gone away, if I recall? Can you think of any triggers this time?

Autumn and spring are the classic times for her to have seizures; the change of season and probably the hormonal changes and associated moult seem to be triggers in themselves. Of course she has not had any flea / tick medication. Toby is a bit stressed and is going away in a couple of weeks, it could be she's picking up on that.

 

[Selina27]

@MellowYellow -- hope you can get some answers for your lovely Poppy x

 

[Beanwood]

I think the fur will sort itself out in time as you say, but I am actually going to take her in to the vets this afternoon because she's just not quite right in herself. Clingy at times, and yet will go away from us and lie down in the garden. Seems a bit nervous on walks, keeps coming back to me for reassurance. OH thinks she has a tummy upset or possible blockage; I think she has a pre-seizure aura.

Subtle changes in behaviour, particularly seeming a little more anxious than normal, changes in renal function as well her fur being a bit dry could mean there is dysregulation in cortisol production. I am sure it's not that, but a full blood work up might be a good idea at this point just to rule out any slight hormone imbalances, and put your mind at rest. If anything is picked up, at least you have spotted it early. Of course it could simply be (and most likely..) a change in weather has just thrown dear Poppy a little off kilter.

 

[Naya]

Poor girl. I hope the vet can give you some advice or have ideas as to what is going on. Sending you all big hugs x

 

[MellowYellow]

dysregulation in cortisol production

Now wishing I hadn't googled this.

 

[MellowYellow]

Maybe it's an age thing? Rorys 6 now. I did think about some bloods test to check his thyroid out. I been just a bit unhappy with him nothing I can put my finger on though.

Just back from the vet with some expensive vitamin tablets with biotin and zinc. She thought Poppy’s moult is still just about normal and thinks the supplements will help but if she’s not much improved in a couple of weeks she wants to do a blood test for thyroid malfunction.

In the meantime Pops of course seems completely perky and happy, dratted dog...!

 

[kateincornwall]

I hope the supplements help her , Karen .Its so frustrating when they have something wrong and yet act completely normal , bless her xx

 

[M.F.]

Have you ever had her thyroid tested? I’ve read that it should be a standard test for dogs who have seizures. I wanted it done for Snowie, but at the time there wasn’t a local lab that could do it (would‘ve needed to be sent to the vetinerary university if memory serves correct) and the vet said he would’ve had other symptoms, not just seizures, so he didn’t see a need. Possibly correct because, as it turns out, stopping tick and flea preventatives coincided with the seizures stopping.

Thinking of you. I am glad the trauma of those episodes is a vague memory for me because it is very stressful and worrying indeed. I really feel for you.

 

[Jacqui-S]

Hope Poppy picks up xxx

 

[Cath]

Hope she is soon back to her normal happy self

 

[MellowYellow]

Quick update - after a week on the supplements Poppy’s coat is already looking much better, and the nervousness has gone, thank goodness! Back to her normal self xx

Zoom groom. ( The brush) Don't need anything on it. Brush every day and her oils will do the rest. Oh and all my dogs love a brush with the zoom groom.

The Zoom Groom is fab!! Thank you for the tip

 

[FayRose]

Very good to read this

 

[SwampDonkey]

Yeah Poppy XXX

 

[Beanwood]

That must be a relief, and lovely that Poppy is back to her old self.

 

[Naya]

So glad Poppy is back to being herself again x