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Australian Shepherd With Terrible Fur Also Needs To Gain Weight

by Adrian
(Michigan)

Alright, here's the story. So, a friend of mine asked me to take her presumed 5 year old Australian Shepherd. I readily agreed, as she is nowhere near a no-kill shelter and her family couldn't afford his vet bills.

I pick this dog up from her house and half of his fur is missing. He is also 15lbs underweight and tiny. He went to the vet immediately, apparently the weight loss and the fur quality are due to an extreme allergy to fleas.

So I guess my question is: is there anything I can do to grow out his coat? Does anyone have any suggestions for putting weight on him?

Thanks in advance.

Comments for Australian Shepherd With Terrible Fur Also Needs To Gain Weight

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Growing coat
by: Anonymous

I'm no expert by any means, but a few ideas: you need to get the allergy under control. It sounds like the dog's condition has not been looked after at all. Is it for sure a flea allergy? My first Aussie was being treated for itchy skin allergies, but when I switched him off a chicken based diet it all cleared up! Same thing with my current dog, they sometimes have a problem with chicken. Worth a try!
As for growing coat, a supplement of herring oil in food may help, you can research this. I would give a high quality food and let the weight gain happen gradually.

Terrible fur
by: Anonymous

For the coat problem you can give Biotin for humans but check for how much to give. We give 4 a day for 45lb. Aussie. Good luck and God bless you for taking care of that poor abused baby!!
Food should also be grain free. Grain causes all kinds of problems.

Raw feeding
by: Robbie

This sounds like leaky gut and incorrect feeding. Try the dog on a balanced raw food diet and bath with plain water only. Avoid antibiotics and prednisone if possible.

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