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This is a little lengthy, but I hope it sheds some light on why we sometimes do things the way we do…

I recently was involved in a discussion where someone felt a puppy had been “sold out from under them” because they were still deciding.  While I primarily am only involved in rescue transactions which are a little more slow paced,  recently I helped a breeder by listing 8 of her retirees and “brokering” their adoptions to get her numbers down as she is overwhelmed.  This is based on my my experience:

It gets very frustrating when you write out a detailed, yet concise description about a Pom only to be inundated with questions from a dozen or more people and only one or two of those people have questions that were not in your bio to begin with.  So now I am answering comments, some of them rather nasty, and in conversations with say half of the initial 12 that asked questions.

Of the 6 respondents I’m now in conversations with;

1 of them proceeds to tell me their life story and about every Pom they’ve ever owned, over the last 30 years,  but they aren’t ready for another one right now,

1 tells me how the Pom in the picture Iooks just like the one that died last year and spends an hour telling me about that Poms battle with cancer,

1 keeps me on the phone for a half an hour before she mentions that she is in California and asks if we deliver the dog from Virginia as part of the price;

We are now down to 3 interested families

Continue reading “Why Are There Hold Deposits $” →

via 4  S urprisingly Durable Dog Toys That Might Actually Survive The Grip Of Your Destructive Pup

For our dogs, experience has shown us that GoDog Chew Guard and Kong Low Stuffing work the best!  GoDog’s are next to impossible for them to tear up even after multiple washing’s and the Kong’s have replaceable squeakers.  We keep both on our Amazon Wish List for our rescue.

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WHAT IS ALOPECIA X?
While there are various types of alopecia, each having various causes, alopecia X differs in several ways from the other types of the hair cycle abnormalities which have been found and treated in the canine body.  Alopecia X is known by a number of other names or terms but all of them describe a “hair cycle arrest” for which the exact cause has escaped scientific identification. Alopecia X is a term given by many veterinary dermatology professionals to describe a “hair cycle abnormality” which is known to affect predominantly Nordic breeds, Pomeranians, Toy and Miniature Poodles.

SYMPTOMS OF ALOPECIA X IN DOGS
As noted above, there are a variety of types of alopecia in dogs and the symptoms are similar in that there is hair loss for various reasons in various regions of the canine body.  Here are some symptoms which may be noted if the animal is afflicted with alopecia X:
Gradual or spontaneous symmetrical hair loss generally over trunk and rear thighs
Hair loss is generally followed by a “wooly” growth of coat (dull and dry in appearance)  Sometimes skin may become hyperpigmented

CAUSES OF ALOPECIA X IN DOGS
While there are no systemic signs for this particular canine condition, there are also no specific causes found for it.  If your canine family member is not eating and drinking, or is doing so excessively (out of his ordinary pattern), appears depressed or is showing increases in liver and kidney testing values, it is likely that there is a systemic underlying cause for the hair loss and your vet will likely need to do additional testing to ascertain that underlying cause.  Here are some of those underlying systemic causes for the hair loss which will need to be eliminated to get a more firm diagnosis:
Hypothyroidism
Cushing’s Syndrome
Cyclic flank alopecia
Pattern baldness
Post-clipping alopecia
Telogen defluxion

These diseases and conditions can, since they are systemic in nature, affect your canine in ways beyond just the skin condition.  If any of them are found to be the cause of the hair loss afflicting your pet, your vet will treat accordingly.

DIAGNOSIS OF ALOPECIA X IN DOGS Diagnosis of the cause for the hair loss or alopecia in your doggy family member will be a process of elimination as there is no specific testing process known at this time to confirm an alopecia X diagnosis as there are for other diseases and conditions in the canine species.  Your veterinary professional will need a complete history from you which will likely need to include many areas of your pet’s lifestyle, like dietary regimen, elimination habits, unusual behaviors noted, the duration of those unusual behaviors, and was hair loss gradual or spontaneous.  Your vet will do a physical examination and will likely order at least a comprehensive blood chemistry panel (CBC) to see if any normal blood component values are out of line.  If he suspects an endocrine issue, there will likely be additional testing needed to clarify or eliminate diabetes, thyroid issues and Cushing’s Syndrome.  He may collect samples of scrapings from the affected areas for microscopic evaluation or even collect other fluid and excrement samples (urine and feces) for laboratory evaluation.  Once he has collected the results of the testing he has ordered, he will likely have been able to eliminate some of the endocrine-related maladies and he will have a better idea for treatment options.

TREATMENT OF ALOPECIA X IN DOGS Treatment of alopecia X in your canine family member will be dependent upon what the vet feels is the primary cause or contributing factor(s) of the initial hair loss.  The treatment options listed below may evolve into a process of trial and error in an effort to treat your pet:

Castration-responsive alopecia (if true to its name) will likely require a period of time to allow the hair to regrow following the neutering of males or spaying of females – this may take several months – additional treatment may follow if regrowth doesn’t occur
Growth hormones administration if that is suspected cause Oral melatonin (over the counter) – don’t begin this on your own unless advised by your vet Drugs which change the adrenal gland production of cortisol and sex hormones These treatments, as you can see, may not necessarily be a “cure all” for alopecia X nor they are a “one size fits” all treatment for all dogs suffering from alopecia.  These treatments may allow the hair cycle to start again but, for alopecia X sufferers, the cycle will resume for one cycle only.  This means that your pet will lose his hair again and it can happen as quickly as one month later or as long as 3 to 5 years later.

RECOVERY OF ALOPECIA X IN DOGS If your veterinary professional cannot find a specific cause or contributing factor for the alopecia in your pet, for example, endocrine disorder, bacterial or fungal infections, and immune disorders, then it is likely that this condition will continue to repeat its cycle throughout the remainder of your canine family member’s life.  It might be a good idea to get used to the idea that extra precautions are needed when your pet is outside. Make use of doggy t-shirts and sweaters. With the hair loss, the skin of your doggy family member is exposed to the elements and will need some protection when outside.  If your pet is otherwise healthy, the prognosis is good for your pet who is afflicted with alopecia X.