Hair loss, enlarged nipples, darkened skin - Page 1

Hi there.

I have an 8 year old male GSD who in the past year has shed a lot of his fur and has darkened skin where he is bald and has enlarged nipples. His hair loss started from his back and progressed to both his thighs, chest and neck. I've noticed that this condition is progressing and am really really concerned and worried. Visits to the vet and checkups have not resulted in anything conclusive. Blood tests have shown that his organ function (liver, kidney)  is normal and thyriod levels normal. His white blood cells (eosinophils only)  were however a tad elevated and the vet said sometimes it may be due to scratching. Any suggestions? Would really appreciate any comment :)

p/s: He also has undescended testicles

A high level of esinophils could be due to a number of conditions. One of the most common causes is allergies, and this woud fit with the hair loss and scratching. Has he been tested for allergies?

Fungal and parasitic infections are another possibiliity. HAve the vet do a skin scraping if he hasn't already, and do a fecal on him. Low adrenal function is also another possible cause. A simple blood test should be able to pinpoint that.

Certain cancers can cause a high level of esinophils. I'm sure you know your dog is at risk of testicular cancer due to those undescended testicles?  Get the vet to check this out!

I lost a German Shepherd years ago from cancer due to one undecended testicle, he was 8 years old,  don't mean to scare you, but, if at all possible, get your dog to another vet, the vet should have suggested removal of his testicles to prevent cancer, at previous appointments.

Hi Camster ,

Years back I knew a dog, that had a similar problem .He had loss of hair from the neck ,
down the forechest area,and the pigmentation of the skin turned black or dark.
This dog was about 9 years old and he was running 
and chasing anything that came into it's area. But he had difficulty standing up and sitting down.

At the vet, upon palpitation in the loin area,there was signs of discomfort and slight pain.

And finally it was found that the retained testical had become cancerous (Testicular cancer)
as mentioned by Sunsilver,and upon removal the dog recovered.


Is your dog active and running around? Is he having a problem /diffculty standing up or sitting down?
Does he feel pain , when pressure is exerted in the area of the retained testical ?
If It's yes, Please get the vet to checkt his out.

 

I suggest talking to your vet about whether the dog has been adequately tested for Cushings' disease or Addisons. They are opposite in cause, but some of the signs you are observing are certainly seen in those diseases. I don't have enough information to comment further.

hi
i have a 7 year old bitch that suffers from the same sort of things it started on her belly last year a trip to my vet ended up with special shampoo that i have to use on her twice a week and some cream and the normal flea treatment that worked for a while , but its now back she was rushed to the vets a couple of weeks ago due to having a fit blood was taken and her white blood cells are or was at the time a little high that the vet put down to having a fit . but after reading your post i'm not sure that it was because of that .
does your dog run around and chase things now ? and does he drag his hind legs ? its just that mine is not as out going and playing with my other dog any more .
the darkened skin is only on one side of my dogs tummy but the hair loss is being to be on one side of her tail .  

 Your dog dragging its hind legs is not a good sign, but is probably something else related to nervous system. There is a condition called degenerative myelopathy and that is something that should concern you here, especially if your dog is getting older. There may be more than one thing going on with your dog loz1

 My youngest Shepherd Estelle is 7months old and got fixed back in mid March.  I have an appointment tomorrow morning to get her (what looks like a nipple) looked at.  It's almost swollen and I put a lil hydrogen peroxide on it.  The nurse told me that not good and doesn't promote healing.  In the meantime I put on a small amount of neosporin until i take her in at 10a.  What could be the reason for her swelling?

Hair loss, enlarged nipples, darkened skin - I'd ask the vet to do some hormone tests.