Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 9/28/2005

Question
My 12 year old lab has begun shedding more than she ever has before in the last couple of days. Primarily the back of her legs and flanks, where she has little left. She had an endoscopy that found an inflamed small intestine about about 3 months ago and was on prednisone after that until about 1 month ago. She is still taking metronitizol (sp?), an antibiotic for the inflammation.

Should I be concerned?

Answer
Excessive shedding is not normal.  Some older dogs shed in response to diseases resulting in poor nutrition and that may be the problem.  Others shed because of a lack of fatty acid utilization.  For that we recommend Omega3 fatty acids found in many cold water fish oils.  Ask your vet that.  Also, in a dog that old, I would also consider hypothyroidism as a cause.  That can easily be tested by your vet.