OUR VET DAVID GRANT WORKS HIS MAGIC

OUR NINE-YEAR-OLD German shepherd dog is losing hair, developed a bit of a potbelly and has lost interest in walks. Is he ageing prematurely?

AMOST German shepherds live to between 10 and 13 years, and sometimes longer.This doesn’t sound like ageing to me and a trip to your vet is advised as there are several problems that come to mind.

Losing hair is probably quite significant because dogs are more likely to turn grey with age.Your dog could be showing early signs of hypothyroidism resulting in inadequate levels of thyroid hormone.

Hair loss from the flank is first seen, while lethargy and lack of interest in walks follows soon after. The potbelly is also significant because it is a prominent sign of Cushing’s disease, caused by overactivity of the adrenal glands with the result that excessive levels of cortisol are produced.This causes hair loss, again on the flanks to start with, but also muscle wastage and thinning of the skin. Often there is liver enlargement and this along with the other effects could lead to a potbelly appearance. Abdominal enlargement can also be caused by fluid in the abdomen or a tumour of the liver or spleen. Diagnosis requires blood tests and X-rays or an ultrasound. Hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease is most likely in your dog’s case and the outlook with treatment is good for both.

David Grant MBE was a vet at the RSPCA Harmsworth Hospital for Animals. Email questions to him at pamperedpets@ express.co.uk. He is unable to enter into individual correspondence.