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Question

Siberian Husky rear leg shaved due to the surgery to repair her torn ACL, and that hair hasn't grown back. She is on thyroid medication and extra doses of zinc, daily. Does the ZINC help with the hair regrowth and will the hair grow back? It has grown back on the legs where the IV and the post-pain killer patch were put and also directly over the incision, but nowhere else and she was shaved from just above the paw to above the leg on the inside and outside.

Submitted: 81 days and 23 hours ago.
Category: Dog
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Pet's Sex: Female
Pet's Age: 9

Already Tried:
Added additional Zinc to diet several months ago, because of reoccurring patches and that has helped stop patches. Also, she is not shedding like the normal cycle, and probably associated to the thyroid medication and thus...the zinc.

Posted by NancyH 81 days and 23 hours ago.

Answer

Yes the zinc can help with fur regrowth as some of the northern breeds have fur loss due to the lack of zinc in the diet. You can read about that here

http://www.siberianhuskyhealthfoundation.org/health_zincdeficiency.asp

Northern breeds typically blow coat twice a year and then grow it back. Depending on the timing of coat shaving it can take a while for the coat to be ready to normally grow back.

You might try adding omega 3&6 fatty acids to the diet to see if that helps. Supplements such as Derm Caps or Linatone or fish oil caps for example.

Or ask your vet about using melatonin.

You can read about some other skin issues and treamtents here

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1487

Hope this helps you!

 

81 days and 22 hours ago.

Reply

There doesn't seem to be any new information in your response. The melatonin was already suggested by my vet, so this is at least confirmation of something to try, but then if it can take 1 year for full regrowth...who knows.

Posted by NancyH 81 days and 21 hours ago.

Answer

Well you didn't mention melatonin so no way to know that was information you had.

All we can do is answer the question you actually ask which I have.

Yes the thyroid med may impact this, yes the season may impact this, yes her zinc issue may impact this and yes you may get more coat growth with adding fatty acids.

One more 'recipe' you might try is this one but it basically adds the fats

http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/growinghair.html

plus some vitamins and minerals.

81 days and 21 hours ago.

Reply

Fair enough...you didn't have all the information that I already had...

 

Some of the challenges of adding fat maybe that she was at 104 lbs, femail S. Husky. We've had her on an IAMs weight reduction getting only 3 cups of food per day and is now down to 94 lbs. SHe is a Big Husky and was always taller and wider shoulder than the other Huskies we've seen (one of the reasons for the thyroid medication was her weight).

 

Anyway, we'd like her hair back (sounds like it takes time and learned that from another owner's question into this site), have her more active (she's just turning 9 and maybe she's not going to go past 10???), and help her get stronger on that back leg where we had the ACL repaired.

 

Provide some suggestions and thoughts on the above and we'll call it "acceptable."

Accepted Answer

Yes I can help you with the new questions you are asking though the site prefers that new questions be listed as new ones.

If you have her on thyroid meds you should know the thyroid problems can lead to weight gain and coat issues. Just in case you can read about that here

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_hypothyroidism.html

for better understanding.

The best option for therapy after ACL repair may be swim therapy in warm water if possible (such as at a veterinary therapy facility).

Here is some info on swim therapy from one facilty

http://www.dogpaddle.net/

Another option if you have it in your vicinity is walking on sand including loose sand to help build up strength.

I've also found that using a warm damp compress over the repaired area (once all stitches are out of course) can help with tight or painful ligaments and muscles loosening them up so that the dog can get better flex. I usually do this twice a day morning and night and it really seems to help.

Another possibility is working with a holistic vet and perhaps acupuncture or chiropracty or other non traditional therapies will help her. This site may help you locate a holistic vet near you.

http://www.holisticvetlist.com/#search

Typically I search it using state and small animal practice to get the biggest list to review.

You may find supplements such as glucosamine chondroitin helps with overall mobility or Adequan shots from the vet (liquid glucosamine which gives you a jump start on using tablets).

She's a senior dog in her breed but lifespans in the breed tend to be 10-14 years though some go longer.

 

 

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Expert: NancyH
Pos. Feedback: 99.5 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 9/1/2009

Dog Expert:Rescue, Train,Breed,Care

30+ yrs dog home vet care & nursing, rescue, behavior&training, responsible show breeding, genetics

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