coat

Question
I have a bulldog (I'm guessing American, he's a rescue dog)and recently he's showing signs of hair thinning in various areas. I'm wondering if it is the weather or if it is his diet. I've been giving him Pedigree for months now with no problems, until about a month ago. We live in PA. Any suggestions? I don't notice anything on my English Bully. Many thanks!

Answer
Hello Cheryl, that's a hard one to call.  Usually skin and hair are directly impacted due to a lack of something in the diet.  Although dogs can get mites.  For the diet, I would add cod liver oil to his diet.  You can do this by either buying the liquid and puting in or on his food or the capsule and giving it to him if he is good about taking pills.  If using the liquid get him to a teaspoon a day.  Introduce it slowly as it may give him the runs until his digestive system adjusts to it.  You will notice a difference in approx. 4 weeks or sooner.  For mites there are several topical dips that will solve that problem.  The only way to know for sure if it is mites is to have your vet do a skin scraping.  Use your best judgement to the severity of the problem and if necessary take him to the vet for a dianosis.  Good luck,  Cindy lou :)