Moulting

[ELB81]

Anyone else's TM moulting?

Mines just started looks like an early moult this year

 

[ruthcatrin]

Mooshi's Mummy was complaining about an early shed too I think. Apollo's not, but then, we've had abnormally extended extreme cold this winter and we just got another foot and a half of snow!

 

[Catia]

Um--yes--but I personally blame MYSELF.
Tessa's coat was so beautiful & shiny and not a shed yet & that winter wooly stuff was coming in nicely.
I don't think her shed/moult was going to happen, but I changed her food.

I changed Tessa's food to Canidae, for 2 bags worth, so about 5-6 weeks.
It changed her coat, it started coming out like crazy--including her winter undercoat.
Her coat started to look like CRAP, & ugh!!!

I switched back to Orijen, & it's been about 3 weeks-her shed slowed a lot --but my god is it THIN down the center of her back-It looks like someone took clippers to her & gave her a reverse mowhawk!
I cannot believe how thin their the fur gets.

This is her 1st winter & her coat was getting really long & beautiful & I skrewed it all up.

 

[Doggyhelpplease]

Yes, mine just started and its still way below 0C and there is still snow everywhere. Low of -18c today. I guess she doesn't care. I thought it was because she was eating so much less it was causing her to shed till I asked Mooshi's mom. I will miss the pretty fluff!

 

[ELB81]

It's annoying but so far I think our winter has been quite mild compared to previous, I'm predicting a bad spring!

 

[ELB81]

What do you know/have experience with fleas on TM's?

Mums dog and cat are covered so we treated everyone (included Cal) and bathed both dogs mums dog was full of dead fleas and not one came of Cal, I do feed him garlic too so was putting it down to that but I'm just curious in general

 

[ruthcatrin]

Last year Apollo started his shed in mid-March, and didn't stop till August!

The year before (it was a REALLY mild winter) he started shedding in January or Feb and was shed out by April IIRR.

We've never had a flea problem, so I can't comment there.

 

[ruthcatrin]

I was just talking with a lady in Colorado who has TMs (and works them as LGDs), and at least one of her dogs has started to blow her coat.

 

[Catia]

Well, maybe the newsworthy "polar vortex" that is going on here in PA just isn't cold enough for her?

I still think the Canidae skrewed up her fur somewhat-

what she's blowing seems to be all from hind legs & rear end. and it mats up fast.
Matter of fact, I didn't notice how thick it was til it started to shed. it's like soft wooly brillo pads & it just comes out of no where, but isn't so easy to comb/brush out.

I think it's a conspiracy & it only grows when I am not looking.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Well, maybe the newsworthy "polar vortex" that is going on here in PA just isn't cold enough for her?

I still think the Canidae skrewed up her fur somewhat-

what she's blowing seems to be all from hind legs & rear end. and it mats up fast.
Matter of fact, I didn't notice how thick it was til it started to shed. it's like soft wooly brillo pads & it just comes out of no where, but isn't so easy to comb/brush out.

I think it's a conspiracy & it only grows when I am not looking.

Your description of her shed across her spine sounds like the food yup. But the hind legs/britches is a not-uncommon place to start shedding from, and yup, it'll mat up BAD if you don't pay attention!

 

[Catia]

so there is a pattern to food induced shedding?

I never knew that.

the hind end part that is shedding is still on both sides of her spine, more over her rear end/hips, not down to her britches, but the way it comes out has a cascade effect, it doesn't come out hair by hair, it's more like sections--man on man was I so not prepared for this kind of fur--it's so long on the backs of her legs & her tail.

Does conditioner help to loosen? Thinking about using a bottle of mane & tail on her to get some better 'slippage'.
She is sort of 'tolerating' brushing now. The brush just goes over, so I use a pick to lift the under part & a comb to get it out. It's not easily 'pluckable' like on a shepherd or husky & it's difficult to part.

 

[ruthcatrin]

I don't know that there's a pattern, but the one time I saw it for myself it was across the spine! pLus how it stopped or at least slowed when yoiu changed back food.

This is what I use on Apollo's tail and britches: Amazon.com: Chris Christensen Ice on Ice Conditioner with Sunscreen R-T-U 16oz pump: Pet Supplies conditioner helps keep it from matting so bad, but this stuff works AWESOME on his tail

And yes, it comes out in chunks.....

 

[ruthcatrin]

for brushes I use one like this: All Systems Ultimate Pin Brushes - Cherrybrook (the middle one) and one like this: Millers Forge Long Tooth Undercoat Rake - Cherrybrook on Apollo when he's shedding (you can get similer ones at most pet stores)

 

[broccolini]

Athena hasn't blown her coat yet. Was she just too young last season?

 

[ruthcatrin]

Yah, Apollo shed out a little his first summer, but it wasn't till the spring after he turned 1 that we really experienced a true shedding season.

Apollo's still not showing any signs of starting (I'm hoping he'll hold on for the show at the end of March), but I think Arty might be starting, when I pet him I get just the littlest bit of fur off of him now where I didn't a week ago.

 

[ELB81]

Cal started on his front legs hasn't spread to his body yet lol

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Mooshi has started with her feet, legs and britches, especially in between her legs and her britches are starting to get matted up near her bum bone. Damn these mild UK winters, but soooo glad she is not entered in to Crufts this year!

 

[Doggyhelpplease]

Mine lost from her shoulder sides and tail first it seems...Today she is losing big chucks from the sides of her back legs but the britches are still fine. It is -13C today not including the wind chill....I think she should of waited as it is just going to get colder all week! lol She wants to spend less time outside now and I think it has to do with her actually getting cold with less fur though I am not sure.

 

[ELB81]

Bathing mine on the weekend..... Not looking forward to it, the bugger hates it and afterwards goes in a huff and looks for trouble which usually means destroying things lol

 

[looby73]

Zeus has started shedding badly already. He's lost pretty much all his mane round the back of his neck and his back has started shedding some nice big clumps. Unfortunately he IS entered in Crufts which is next week and he's going to look a right scruffy bugger!