Hair loss on snout...

[Miller2]

My 4, almost 5 yr old Golden Retriever is slowly losing hair on her snout. She doesnt scratch it to any degree so it likely isnt a rash. She is, however, allergic to alot of different things. The hair loss has gotten worse that the photo shows and the skin on her snout where the hair has been lost has gotten brown.

She is apparently very healthy, great appetite, energetic.

Thoughts?

[special]

Hello and welcome to pet lovers! what does your vet say about the fur loss?

[Miller2]

thanks for the welcome. Unfortunatley my vet said it didnt look good at all so we have to bring her down tomorrow for a biopsy. It doesnt "look" bad to me so Im not sure what to make of it. The fact that the dog doesnt scratch it is what worries the vet.

[tiffers]

I am curious what happens to your Goldie. We have quite a few patients who have this kind of thing, maybe not the same, but their owners aren't bothered by it and the dogs don't care. We see it more in old dogs.

[Miller2]

I'll post when I find out. She isnt bothered by it at all so Im not convinced it's anything serious, however, when the vet says biopsy I assume cancer. Hopefully it's nothing but It's going to cost me $300 to find out.

[Kkye]

the $300 is worth it!

and a biopsy isn't just for cancer, i don't think, but honestly i don't know for sure.

awe, i hope it goes okay for you guys. i'd lose it if my girls had anything wrong with them.

[Emi!y]

Biopsy doesn't necessarily mean Cancer. They just do a little scrape of the skin and test the skin cells. They do it mostly, as I've seen, to test for skin allergies.
I actually had a Pit a long time ago with this same sort of problem. Turns out that she had some sort of bacteria from the grass and it was easily treated with antibiotics and some diaper rash cream. Even though it wasn't a rash, the cream worked wonders!

Good luck on your golden girl!:D and I hope it's nothing serious!

[tiffers]

Emily is right, biopsy isn't always cancer. It's just taking a sample of something, and sending it to a lab, to see what it is. It may be cancer, but what it may not be. It could just be an infection like Emily said.

I would spend the $300 for peace of mind.

[Miller2]

Thanks guys. My girl has been through so much already I cant stand to think she has another issue. At 2 yrs she had a full hip replacement, she's had stomach surgery, she is allergic to everything so there are always rashes and allergy shots. She doesnt need any other problems.

Here is how happy she really is!!

[tiffers]

Aww, very cute! What's her name?

[Miller2]

Her name is Winston. Yes I know its a boys name but she doesnt know any better!

[tiffers]

LoL. That's cute! So, do people think she's a boy when you tell them her name?

[Miller2]

Yep...everyone assumes boy because of her name and her size. She's a big girl...92 lbs of muscle. She isnt fat.
My wife and I are longtime Nascar fans so we named her after the now defunct Winston Cup Series.

[katiem]

Aw, Winston is very pretty! I had a female Chameleon named Norman once. I hope everything goes ok with her and it ends up being nothing serious. Keep us updated.

[Wiztherewoz]

Thanks guys. My girl has been through so much already I cant stand to think she has another issue. At 2 yrs she had a full hip replacement, she's had stomach surgery, she is allergic to everything so there are always rashes and allergy shots. She doesnt need any other problems.

Here is how happy she really is!!

She's absolutely gorgeous! Her name just makes her unique. Good choice. :D

I just wanted to wish you luck that all goes well at the vets, and to say thank you so much for loving her and sticking with her through all of her health problems. Too many people see their pets as an inconvenience when they have health issues, and simply get rid of them, without a care as to where they end up, in exchange for a "better" one.
It's so nice to hear about people who genuinely love their animals as they should be loved, and are there for them for always, unconditionally. It's just a breath of fresh air!

I hope you stick around on the board and keep us posted on how she's doing.

Again, best of luck! Cuddles to Winston. :)

[Miller2]

Thanks for all the well wishes. My wife is taking her in this morning.

[tiffers]

How did the vet visit go?

[Miller2]

Well the biopsy is back and the good news is that it isnt cancer, however, it appears to be an auto immune issue that is attacking that area on her snout causing the hair to fall out. The remedy.....Protopic ointment to the tune of $112/tube! Apparently this gets absorbed through the skin to treat the issue. The vet indicated the hair MAY grow back, but the skin pigment may not return to normal.

So...good news no cancer..bad news its another issue for the poor girl and another fairly major expense for me!! Oh well...I'll do whatever I can for my girl.

[special]

Thank you for coming back and giving us an update on your beloved Wilson. I'm sorry the treatment will be so costly, but as you say, whatever it takes to keep them well is what we do.

I am celebrating with you that there is no cancer on your beautiful furbaby.

[tiffers]

Thanks for the update. I am also glad it's not cancer, though Auto-Immune isn't very nice either. Did they determine the only issue right now is with her nose? I'll keep you both in my thoughts!

[AnimalStars]

There are biological and psychological reasons why your dog is experiencing hair loss. Other than the genes, your dog might be suffering from some allergic reaction resulting in the thinning of their mane. To combat initial hair loss, give your dogs ample vitamin E supplements. Use milder shampoos, especially around the affected area. If the case doesn’t settle, see a vet for more exhaustive therapies.

[Miller2]

Yes the issue is confined to her snout. It is a VERY MILD case according to the lab so there appears to be little chance it will spread elsewhere, although its possible.

It already looks as though some of the hair is growing back, which is amazing.

It is interesting that I had a hip replacement, then Winston needed one, then my wife was diagnosed with an auto immune issue and Winston followed suit. I guess whatever I get next I can expect Winston to get!!!