Re: [Chihuahuas] Diagnosis of Color Dilution Alopecia CONFIRMED in Zoey.

[Kay Lewis]

Heather, Did your Vet check for thyroid????     The sympons for CDA are the same as for thyroid.   If not have him do one, just to be sure.  Back in the 60's I had a border collie beagel mix that had the same sympons,  4 different vet's treated her, it was so bad that we finally made the decision to have her put down, we had just been transfered to a new town, went to a new vet, he said to give him a week, if he couldn't cure her he would put her down for free.  He took a blood sample. A week later we went back, he handed us a bottle of chewable thyroid tablets and with in a few weeks her skin cleared up and the hair grew back.  She lived to be 17 years old. The Vet is retired but his sons and daughters are practicing in South Miami,   Dr Householder for anyone in the area.  I can't vouch for his kids, but he was a wonderful Vet. Kay Heather Thompson wrote:  Well We took Zoey back to the vet today cause my husband and I were noticing last night that she has hair loss mainly on her blue spots and someone mentioned that this may be a possibility.  You can literally just pull the hair out without much effort.  It is also very dull giving her the 'moth' eaten look.  On cytology of her hair you can see the irregular clumps of melanin within the hair shaft... So the Diagnosis of Color Dilution Alopecia has been confirmed! :(  This just makes me SO sad.  I can't believe it.  My poor little girl.  I am going to try possibly switching her diet to boost her immune system and try so vitamins and herbs as well, but it looks like I'm gonna have a patchy bald little girl.  I have been doing A LOT of research and have come up with a lot of info on it.  It is unfortunately Genetic, here is a quote:   "Breeding advice Affected dogs, their parents and siblings should not be used for breeding. The condition can be entirely avoided by the use of non-colour-diluted dogs in breeding programmes.".   But if anyone else has any information on it or what shampoos/treatments help the most I would appreciate it.  Does anyone know does the hair ever grow back?  Or does is remain patchy for their entire life?  Her ears look 100% better today!  YEAH!  But still has the crustiness on her face and ears, but they aren't as inflamed.  Here is a link that I've found about it: http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/dermatology/colour%20dilution%20alopecia.htm  Heather Thompson Visit My Dogs on Dogster: Zoey : Jakob : Chloe Visit my Website: Setareh Westies Next litter due Feb 2006 Follow my girl Chloes Pregnancy from Day 1: Doggie Moms To Be Forum **Updated 1/19/06 Visit my Groups: Westie Ways   Puppy Breeders " Lets talk about our wonderful little friends! Join today! " YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS  Visit your group "Chihuahuas" on the web.    To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.