black elbow joints, not eating, shedding skin

mrro01 · 08-31-2008, 01:20 PM

My dog has been eating very minimally for a week now. Her joints are black and parts of her legs seem to be losing hair and even shedding skin. Any ideas? I'm taking her to the vet ASAP but I'm worried and just want some preliminary ideas.

Thank you

Filnyyena · 08-31-2008, 02:07 PM

I don't know about the first two, but the last is what Trek went through.

He had really bad dandruff and was biting/scratching the multiple "hotspots" to the point of hair loss and in one spot, bleeding. The vet prescribed these fish pills for it because it was a skin problem of some sort. I think allergies to his dog food. And after two-three prescriptions he was completely back to normal.

The scratching and biting has recently picked up in the recent month (I am no longer with him to monitor his behavior) because we put him on Beniful and my grandpa was bad about giving him snack food and chocolate and such.. So we got him off that to a better dogfood without wheat, which was most likely the problem. I've heard nothing from my dad about scratching/biting yet, so its all good.

Patt · 08-31-2008, 03:24 PM

Welcome to DF.

Sorry have no clue what it could be. It could me a minor or serious problem. Please let us know what the vet said. BTW what breed is your dog and how old?

mrro01 · 08-31-2008, 05:12 PM

She's a yellow lab retriever, 10 years old. She'll eat dog treats and maybe some apple slices but won't eat her usual food which is Pedigree canned food.

Her back legs quiver when she tries to stand up and can only move very slowly. I wouldn't be surprised at all if she had arthritis but that doesn't seem to be an explanation for all the symptoms.

Patt · 08-31-2008, 05:37 PM

Well definitely a vet visit is needed for an exam, blood work and possibly Xrays.

Now I'm just guessing, maybe the black spots could be from pressure of lying down too much or moving on the elbows trying to get up and they are discolored. Possibly a callous is starting to develop. Losing hair, shedding skin could be a thyroid problem. Getting up slowly and quivering legs is probably arthritis. If she hasn't eaten for some time she could be weak from no nourishment. Possibly a reason for her not being too interested in food is she may be in pain. Usually they won't eat if they are in pain. Again a vet visit is needed. Also you could try a higher quality food.

All of the above can be treated easily with medications. Actually after being on the meds for a time you probably will have a "new" dog. I hope so. Please keep us updated on her.