My long haired GSD has lost coat condition, it's become thin and a little dull. She had a skin problem about a month ago, where the skin aroundher elbows was sore and she had lots of small scabs, along with a small sore on her leg which wouldn't heal. Went to the vet who gave her a steroid injection, an antibiotic injection and put her on a course of stronghold, in case of mange/flea allergy. The skin has cleared up, but her coat isn't right. She is fine in herself, and her feeding regime is unchanged. I suppose the coat condition could be totally unrelated, but instinctively I feel it's connected. I will probably take her back to the vet this week and see what he says, but has anyone else any ideas in the meantime? I read a thread on here about a 'blown' coat, could this be the same thing? Never had the problem before. She's 2 1/2.

Thanks
Kat

Hi Kat,

IME it could be as a result of or at least exacerbated by the steroid - it can take several weeks to show an apparent difference but some steroids (particularly prednisilone) can make the coat quite sparse and dull and appear to be of a different texture.  It does revert but dogs' hair, just like our own following strong meds and being generally under par, does tend to look a bit lifeless.

Hope all is well with her apart from this and that you start to see a gradual improvement in her coat over the next few weeks.  Regards, Teri :)

Raw egg added to food makes my golden's coats shiinee.

Don't you hate it when you lose a sneeze - i've lost more then 10 today!

Hi Teri

Yes, it reminds me of steroid use, my old GSD bless her was on them long term, and they totally wrecked her in the end. I didn't think that one injection would cause it but, perhaps you're right.
MannyG - Yes I do hate losing a sneeze, try looking at a light, it works for me :D
Great minds think alike, I have been adding a raw egg to her food every day (lucky I keep bantam chickens!!)
Thanks to you both
Kat