Effect of castration on coat texture - Page 2

Thanks for your replies     Interesting to hear about the colour changes, rather than texture. El

Elkoor, there are many causes of skin and coat conditions in dogs. I'd get a full workup done if it hasn't been done already. The vet needs to take skin scrapings and samples to rule out mange and fungal infections, which could have been triggered by the stress of the surgery. Mange especially will hit a dog that's already stressed, which is why any females that develop manage should be spayed, as the stress of pregnancy will likely bring on an attack. (Also, the tendency to be vulnerable to mange is heriditary. Most dogs have mange mites on their skin, but only the vulnerable develop full-blown mange infestations.)

A dog neutered AFTER maturation will not grow any more, certainly not any taller.  Growth can only occur prior to the epiphysis.

Dogs neutered PRIOR to maturation will tend to grow taller as sex hormones affect the closure of the growth plates, it can also alter the ratio of bone length in the hind legs and predispose the dog to cruciate ligament problems.

 

Etc etc

Thanks Sunsilver and Jenni for your reply. He had been neutered in Nov 07. So I am dealing with that since over a year. I had fed him California Natural Chicken/Rice before the neutering and he was doing well on it until the neutering. He was on antibiotics for about 10 days after the surgery for a lick infection. First I thought it was the antibiotic, but even after he was off he continued to blow his coat. He had bald round patches on the ears, then between the legs, then hindlegs and front. Those were not patches like one sees with mange, more like someone took some twiezers and pulled a bushel hair out.

All the skin scrapings came back negative, as well as all his blood work and stool samples. Food wise  tried basical everything I can think of over the last year. Grain free, different proteins, limited ingredients, protein free, tried raw. As I said the best that worked for him was the Venison/Potato LID from Royal Canine you can only buy at the Vets. But it made him gain weight, and feeding only 2 cups a day left him hungry all the time. Thats why I think that there is something in the food RC is not telling, that surpresses inflammation, suspicious to me for steroids.

The home diet right now left him overall more satisfied, and he lost weight even though I am feeding him alooooot. I am considering sending blood work/serum to a webservice who does comprehensive antibody testing. I must admit that he has nerve issues and thats why he got his balls cut, so cant rule out completely some neurologic disorder (obsessive compulsive).

Dont want to hijack, just telling my story for someone reading through it who has the same probleme and is looking for answers. Mind boggling it is.

In 26+ yrs I have had two males neutered
1 castrated at the age of 5yrs bitch stripe, plus coat across withers became coarse and curly.
2 castrated at the age of 3yrs bitch stripe but his coat as gone extremely soft and shiny but still fully waterproof.

I only have experience with a GSD mixed breed being neutered.   His coat didn't change much, but he ultimately shed all the time, and twice a year totally blew his coat.

My older female was the same, the coat is still good, but we are always amazed at how much fur comes off of her!   Her nickname is "oh fuzzy one!"  I do miss the twice a year shedding before coming into season.   I had them groomed before Christmas and the groomer was initially like, oh she doesn't look bad!  Until she started on her and she was even amazed at what comes off of her.   I have noticed just where I work that the males that are neutered after maturity do seem to loose that muscled look and gain weight.  How much of it is from the surgery or that people just haven't adjusted things accordingly.  Because we certainly see ones neutered and are in good shape still. 

Kathy

Hi Kathy I would say they havent adjusted diet etc. as my dog that was castrated last May is still full of muscle and as not gained weight as I adjust his food to his levels of work/exercise.
Pam

Didn't notice any change on my GSD Prince after neutering at 5 1/2 years.  He was bicolor and had a normal GSD coat, and it stayed that way.  Don't know what to suggest, but it could be nerves, all right.

Crys

So true Pam!

Even my older girl is still in good shape at 12.   So adjusting things definitely makes a difference.  

We saw one of these such dogs today.     He's now a walking end table!    It just frustrates me how much obesity there is in the pet world.   LOL

Bump

Thanks to those who replied to my original question

As an RVN (vet tech) I advise clients that there may be a change in their dog's coat, but it can be hard to quantify with animals only seen briefly for boosters etc. In addition, of course some changes could be due to diet / environment etc or may have happened anyway.

I would like a few more replies if possible, as you all know your own dogs' environment etc and may have other un-neutered dogs as a control.

Nicola