Losing hair on his tail

jamie8dc · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 4:19 pm Post subject: Losing hair on his tail

Hey guys. Sorry I haven't been around in a long time. Hope everyone's doing well!

Logan turns 10 months on Saturday and now weighs in at 83.8 lbs. Yeah. I recently noticed that he's losing hair on the end of his tail, and I think it's growing and creeping up towards the base of his tail. A few days ago I noticed a small scab near the end of his tail. I know these pictures are hard to make out but it gives the general idea.

I really don't know what's happening, it's like his fur is thinning out there... there's still hairs coming out but it's much more sparse. The scab has gone away in the past couple days but his hair doesn't seem to be coming back. I'm wondering if maybe some sort of insect bit him, and an allergic reaction caused his hair to fall out, or if maybe he's somehow rubbing that part of his tail on the ground or against something and I'm just not catching him doing it.

If anyone's experienced this sort of thing or knows what it could be, please let me know. I'll be taking him to the vet soon if it doesn't improve.

Also, he's been training to be a construction manager. Here's some of his latest work.

I think he's more focused on the demolition side of his career.

Thanks in advance guys!

youhavenoidea · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject:

Hey!

Was wondering about you guys the other day.

As for your question . . . is it possible that he's itching / scratching it a lot, even maybe when you don't see him do it? Perhaps allergies or a skin irritation?

jmwgomz · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:01 pm Post subject:

Zeke is five months old and this seems to happening to him as well. I've noticed that he chews on his tail often. The vet seems to think it's just a habit he's picked up. I'm going to try putting vaseline on his tail (i read somewhere that this may keep him from chewing it??).

PamK · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:17 pm Post subject:

We missed you guys.

83 Pounds???? Derek is only 73 and you laughed at how big he was Wink

Could he be too happy? I know this sounds dumb but when Derek started losing tail hair someone told me he was wagging his tail too much and hitting things with it.

Hope his boo boo gets better quick.

LunaBrown · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:27 pm Post subject:

Luna's tail did the same thing at some point.... although I can't recall how far back it was. It has since healed and her fur grew back. The tip of her tail will always be bald though due to a bad dock job.

Can we have more new pictures of something besides his butt? He's grown into a huge fella - Luna wants to see some pictures!

I'm glad all is well with you - you must be getting ready to settle into another semester of classes?

Take care!!!

Mindy & Luna

wildlifecr13 · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:29 pm Post subject:

everything is bigger in texas.
Riley is about 65 lbs.
I dont think she will be catching Logan any time soon...
Loved the demo pic... zoe did some of that as a puppy. I am much better at fixing drywall because of her!
I have nothing on the tail thing beyond what you have already heard... just good to hear things are going well.

jamie8dc · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:21 pm Post subject:

Yeah I'll post pics soon in the photo thread. And Pam I was thinking that, that he's rubbing it agianst stuff either accidentally or intentionally. He can't be scratching it with his limps, he can't reach it, but he could possibly be biting it and I just haven't caught him. Hard to believe though, I haven't had school the 2nd half of summer so he and I have been spending pretty much 24/7 together the past month and a half.

Anyways yeah he's doing great and I'll get pictures up soon. I'm thinking it may be an allergic reaction or something, I've noticed him scratching his torso a little lately. Maybe fleas? I just gave him flea/tick stuff about 3 weeks ago, I might give him his next dose earlier than usual just in case.

Anyways I'll keep you guys posted, thanks for the feedback!

NenaGunther · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:58 pm Post subject:

weimamama · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:55 pm Post subject:

Blue's tail does this often... It always seems that once it grows back and we make note of it, WHAMMO! It falls out again. We think he needs a tail-peé

KaspersMom · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 10:28 pm Post subject:

Kasper has had some issues with this as well. He never had a sore but some thinning (could be caused from scooting) as well as biting at his tail. My vet said it could be due to his anal glands needing expressed so she checked them that day and they were full. This may not be your dogs issue but it is worth checking into.