I read a while back about someone with a westie, whch had chronic hair growth problems - bald over a large part of its back as I recall.  The owner tried all sorts such as different diets, allergy testing, thyroid tests and so on, but the one thing that worked - and all the hair grew back - was aloe vera in the westie's food.

Has anyone else hear of this, and could anyone suggest a dosage for a 31kg dog?  I accept that a large part (if not all) of Remy's hair loss is due to colour dilute alopecia (he's a fawn dobe, bred of dilute parents) but I still want to try any options that might be available to him before I resign myself to another 6+ years of Baldy Bum!

Hi, why don't you try the gel first and rubbing it on affected area? I swear by Forever Living Products for both animals and humans it's fab. FLP products are more expensive but it is because they have 100% AV in them unlike other brands. I would recommend the "Aloe Vera Jelly" in a tube to start with and rub it on affected area. It will encourage hair growth and has other benefits too. It is quite expensive but it is sold New on ebay at a reasonable price. I used it on my ridgeback bitch who went for a minor op on her leg (20mm insision) and she came back with a hunters clip!! It worked a treat! Hope this helps, Jennifer.

I too have used Aloe vera gel on bald patches on my dog, it grows back incredibly quickly! I use this...

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=515&xs=F2BB696BB49642A989C27CF2E0688498

We use aloe vera for all sorts of cuts, burns and bruises on humans but use it straight from our aloe vera plants. We just cut a piece of leaf off and rub the sap straight on to the area that needs treating - really great for sunburn. Have never used it on the dog so can't advise on that but someone else may have done so :)

what about straight from the plant?? i have a huge one that keeps shedding babies and have loads i could use for  friends westie

I use it on humans straight from the plant just not sure if it suitable for dogs if it is used in an area where they can lick it. A google search might tell you about suitability for use in dogs.

products are more expensive but it is because they
pay commission to all their agents in the chain - like pyramid selling - but of course it's not called that?? :(

Yes use it straight from the plant.  I used to give baby aloes to owners of dogs in the parlour with skin problems. 

But the best thing I found to help Westie skin was to change the diet to natural, or Wafcol Vegetarian.  One or the other seemed to make an improvement but of course there is no substitute for breeding for good skin/coat. :)

Thanks all, I'm not looking to specifically improve a westie's coat - that was just the example I'd read that made me think about it.  Remy is a dobermann.

The owner of the westie used something like a teaspoon of AV in the food every day, as opposed to topical treatment - that's what I was looking at doing, as Remy is balding over most of his body.  I think topical AV for that would get pricey :D

Westie owners used to chop a little of the plant on their dogs' dinner. :)  I have no idea if that's a safe thing to do, but it did improve their skin.

My OH makes his own drink out of it - liquidises the leaves with water and then sieves it through muslin and takes it daily for last ditch health reasons.

How easy are the Aloe Vera plants to look after?

I've been debating about getting one, but as i tend to kill most plants, wasn't sure.  I've not got round to looking on the tinternet yet!! 

Jill

Damn easy my started as a three fleshy leafed midget & it's now on it's way to taking over the bench it is on, it's momma is huge & all my friend does is water it !