Loss of Pigment - Page 3

**Jenny** · 06-30-2008, 04:35 PM

I get my supplements (dog) from here. . . Berte's Holistic Products for Dogs & Cats

DobeGirl07 · 06-30-2008, 04:47 PM

I spoke with a lady from the supplement shop and she said it was a lack of biotin.

DobeGirl07 · 06-30-2008, 04:47 PM

Anyone ever heard this?

**ellenm** · 06-30-2008, 04:57 PM

I don't know about the biotin and pigment loss, but the Nature's Farmacy people are very knowledgeable. I have my guys on their digestive enzymes and their all purpose vitamin/mineral mix. I'm hoping it will help Rexy's allergies. He actually seems better this year as opposed to last summer. We feed biotin to horses to help strengthen hooves.

I have used kelp in the past as it is supposed to darken the rust markings...I had a red show boy and used it to darken his red tone. I think it did as I recall.

** I just read a few articles on biotin and pigment in dogs and it says deficiency is rare in dogs as they synthesize it themselves. One article said that deficiency was found in a dog being fed egg whites solely and it leached biotin over time. Google biotin/dog pigment and then call your vet to advise before doing any supplements would be my advice!

DobeGirl07 · 06-30-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellenm

I don't know about the biotin and pigment loss, but the Nature's Farmacy people are very knowledgeable. I have my guys on their digestive enzymes and their all purpose vitamin/mineral mix. I'm hoping it will help Rexy's allergies. He actually seems better this year as opposed to last summer. We feed biotin to horses to help strengthen hooves.

I have used kelp in the past as it is supposed to darken the rust markings...I had a red show boy and used it to darken his red tone. I think it did as I recall.

I did talk to the lady at Nature's Farmacy, I like her a lot. I will try the Biotin and see how that works. She said it is used to re-store pigment loss. Will let you guys know.

**Jenny** · 06-30-2008, 08:08 PM

All I know about biotin is that it make hooves grow.

**melbrod** · 07-01-2008, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny

All I know about biotin is that it make hooves grow.

Hard enough to keep up with those toenails as it is!! LOL

**talentdobe** · 07-01-2008, 02:01 AM

Vitiligo is fairly common in Dobes- it seems to run in certain lines. It's harmless, although it can be a bit unsightly. One of my girls has a bit of it(she's black), and has a son that also has a bit of it (he's red). Her pigment loss seems to wax and wane- sometimes it's more noticeable than others. Not sure about her son that has it since he doesn't live with me. You can also see permanent pigment loss after vaccinations like BIB described. Has your dog had a vaccine recently?

DobeGirl07 · 07-01-2008, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talentdobe

Vitiligo is fairly common in Dobes- it seems to run in certain lines. It's harmless, although it can be a bit unsightly. One of my girls has a bit of it(she's black), and has a son that also has a bit of it (he's red). Her pigment loss seems to wax and wane- sometimes it's more noticeable than others. Not sure about her son that has it since he doesn't live with me. You can also see permanent pigment loss after vaccinations like BIB described. Has your dog had a vaccine recently?

Thanks for the detailed response. No vaccines in atleast two or three months. I ordered some supplements, will let all know how that goes.

Murreydobe · 07-01-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dobes&Hounds

I have used Kelp before and honestly didn't see any difference in my dogs. They were on it over 3 months. It claims to darken pigment, and to reverse graying in some older dogs. None of my 4 dogs got any darker, and Aubrey's gray did not recede.
]

Kelp or some of the other things people use to improve pigmentation (walnut oil is another product some people use) take a LONG time to work. It might take 5-6 months to see any difference.