Advice needed on Rottweiler

Charisma

Some of you gave me very sound advice here when I was considering getting a second rescue rottie to keep mine company. I did go ahead and get him and after a few teething problems he has settled in well and is a lovley fella.
We took him to the vet after we got him and he checked out fine but I noticed that he looses a lot more hair than our female. At first I thought it was just that he was now indoors and it was the change of diet and environment but now I concerned. He had a very hairy tummy especially around his male bits and pieces but now he is almost bald in that area and under both his front and back legs at under the under arm area. I had him on the floor on his back tonight and I noticed that he has 2 moles on his man bit and also up his stomach he has what look like dark patches and a mole like lump that looks a bit crusty. It looks like it could be a small puncture wound but there isnt anywhere he could have got it as far as im aware. I never noticed theese before as he was quite hairy and now I can see them. He licks the tummy and underarm areas a lot and Im now worried that there is something not right with him. Should I look further into this or is it normal. He also drinks a lot more than our female. Can anyone reccommend a good vet for Rottweilers or dogs in general as Im not overly confident in my vets knowlede of dogs. He missed a few thing on our new dog that I had to point out to him and actually seemed a bit nervous of him. Thanks in advance for any advice any of you can offer. It was very helpfull last time.

Schlemm

The signs that your dog are showing sound a bit like Cushings disease. I'd make an appointment for the vet to rule it in or out. Is there any way you can measure how much he's drinking?

Where are you based (re. vet reccomendation)?

Charisma

Im in the Rathfarnham area of Dublin

EGAR

How long ago has he been neutered?

Charisma

He is a rescue dog and we only have him 3 months. I dont know how long ago he was neutered. I was told he is 2.5 years old I feel that he may be older .Ive looked up cushings disease and it sounds quite serious. Thankfully I have him insured since the day I got him.

EGAR

Oh ok, the reason I asked is that sometimes freshly neutered males can *throw* their coat as the hormones in their body changes but if you had him that long already neutered than this is no explanation.

This loss of hair can have alot of different reasons, Cushing's is just one.

What are you feeding him on?

I recommend that you take him to a good vet and have the works done, ie blood, urine etc.

kerrysgold

If he is licking a lot it could be lick granuloma (sp?) but I don't know if the scabs/lumps are symptoms of that.

Charisma

He is fed mainly on Hills Science plan . They get some pasta and rice as a mixer occasionaly for a bit of variety.Other than that scraps but I am carefull about their diet. He does show some of the other cushings signs mentioned on a few sites Ive looked at like urinating occasionally in the house (he only does a little when he does this compared to what he would pass outside.)He also seems to have a little bit of leakage on standing up and pants a lot more than my other dog.He also doesnt have much muscle on his hind quarters for a male. We put this down to the fact he had been locked in a small yard and never exercised but we have been walking him regularly and he is still skinny looking on the back legs and not as strong or well rounded as our smaller female.
I will contact my vet and arrange for blood tests as you suggested. Do you know by any chance if he will run full bloods as they do with humans or will I have to ask for something specific. Thankyou so much for your advice. It is much appreciated.

summer_ina_bowl

your vet will probably do a standard vetscan blood profile which measures the quantities of certain substances in the blood, its a pretty comprehensive test, very good for picking up abnormalities, which will then allow him to make a tentative diagnosis and choose the most appropriate further testing. Hair loss can be caused by hundreds of things, hopefully it won't turn out to be anything as serious as cushings. thank god for pet insurance!

Love&Light

If you are not happy with the the opinion of the Vet, perhaps you could ask for a referral to the Veterinary Hospital (UCD) They are wonderful there and have all the up to date equipment ! They may keep him in overnight for tests but I have on two occasions had to bring my Rotties to UVH and they were very thorough and helpful. Go with your instincts if you think theres more to it. This rule has never failed me & you know your dog better than anyone !