Patches of hair changing color/texture/curl to brown

[thedozos]

My 2 1/2 year old Maltese has always been all white (ears included) soft and wavy in his puppy cut. Suddenly small patches on his back appeared which are not itchy or red or anything, just hair broken off, then coming in a brown color with the appearance of coarse, straight almost beagle or something like that fur! The patches have grown, and are after 3 weeks at this point still only on his back. The vet has no clue. A 2009 post on this forum sounded similar, but had no answers either. I'm worried that it is something that will remain, worsen, or cause some other health problem for the baby. We were visiting friends for the first week, and actually thought their poodle had chewed off the patch of hair, but now that it's grown in weird I think he was probably smelling something there (we did see him with his nose on my little one's back in that spot several times). There was no change in his diet (mostly roast chicken, with NuVet supplements and Iams probiotic pills daily, Angel Eyes and a digestive aid on his food, and chicken tenders as treats). We did, at the vet's suggestion, give him children's benedryl for travel anxiety and some mild scratching (face mostly, none on his back), which was the only "new" substance. My hubby and I are now paranoid that he's sick, so we think he's laying around more than usual, but it could be that we are laying around more in this horrid heat and he just joins us! I've googled this issue, and found a few other people who have described the same process, but they were all in the form of questions like mine and no answers! Any help is much appreciated!

[JiJi's Mom]

Hi!! :mtwelcome:

That is very strange. This is my first maltese so I have no clue. It's normal for maltese to have skin pigmentation but not change of hair color. Has the vet done blood test of any sort?

You think you can take some pics for us so we have a better idea.

[smyi2]

Has your maltese been acting different at all? Is he barking less, laying around more, or eating less? This might be a sign he is sick..

When I read your post, my first thought was maybe he is a mixed breed?

Have you looked into the side effects of the supplements he is taking? Maybe those are a causing a weird reaction for him..

I haven't had your issue, but I'm just throwing things out there. Hope its nothing serious :o

[thedozos]

Thanks for the ideas. Here's a photo. He's AKC purebred (I have the last 3 or 4 generations, supposedly, documented). He's been maybe a little slower, lazier, or something, but it's been very hot here and he gets that way -- he's still playing and such as well, though. No blood test results that show anything. I'm suspecting Interceptor, though I have no information that this is a side effect. :mad:

[smyi2]

Thanks for the ideas. Here's a photo. He's AKC purebred (I have the last 3 or 4 generations, supposedly, documented). He's been maybe a little slower, lazier, or something, but it's been very hot here and he gets that way -- he's still playing and such as well, though. No blood test results that show anything. I'm suspecting Interceptor, though I have no information that this is a side effect. :mad:

Does he try to scratch it or is there scabbing/dryness?

[smyi2]

I've tried looking and this is what I found... I didn't see any that had the same symptoms as your dog, but maybe you wanna take a look.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2111&aid=421

[thedozos]

No, he's not bothered by the areas, no redness or other visible problem on the skin. That was an amazing list of hair loss issues in that link (!!!) but none fit his issue (the hair was never gone, just short and then weird!). The other thing we'd done is given him Comportis for fleas, but again the vet doesn't think that's it. As far as I know, the supplements don't have that as issues either (and he's been on them for many months without this happening), but I'm still researching that. One person thought that it was tear-staining from the other dog smelling/licking him, but it's been growing in strangely for a month (no more exposure to another dog)

[thedozos]

Here are more photos of it:)

[smyi2]

No, he's not bothered by the areas, no redness or other visible problem on the skin. That was an amazing list of hair loss issues in that link (!!!) but none fit his issue (the hair was never gone, just short and then weird!). The other thing we'd done is given him Comportis for fleas, but again the vet doesn't think that's it. As far as I know, the supplements don't have that as issues either (and he's been on them for many months without this happening), but I'm still researching that. One person thought that it was tear-staining from the other dog smelling/licking him, but it's been growing in strangely for a month (no more exposure to another dog)

That is just strange! I would just leave it alone longer and watch it. If he doesn't show loss of appetite, pain, sickness... At least that's just what I would do. You should watch and see if it grows long like the rest of his hair. :tongue:

[Morkie4]

Well, so sorry your little one is having issues and I hope he will be just fine.

But here is my two cents on it. I did use a topical flea control on my girls and they had a very bad reaction to it and I had to take it off with a bath as the area was itchy and very red. But that was the first time I used it and the last. Evidently, the girls had sensitive skin. So if you have used a topical on that area, perhaps it should be washed off.

Secondly, it almost looks like the color of when they chew an area and their saliva makes that red/brown discolored look. Did your fluff chew the area at all???? Have you tried washing the area with some sort of Oatmeal/itch relief shampoo??? I would just keep a close eye on that area and on your fluff. IF you see them chew the area, put something like "gold bond" on the area to keep it from itching and to help it heal. I really think the discolored hair is a temporary thing but that's just my opinion.

Keep us updated and let us know if there are any changes.

WELCOME TO MALTESE TALK!!!!

[thedozos]

It looks a little different in person than tear stains -- his, at least, when not on Angel Eyes, are darker and nastier somehow:) Either way, though, TicTac can't reach that spot, so it wouldn't have been his saliva. The other dog he was around who "sniffed" that spot a lot might have licked it, but that's been over a month ago and it's still growing in brown, straight, and coarse! Also, no topicals ever on his back, but either way he's been bathed and groomed 3 times since it first appeared, including oatmeal shampoo one time. It doesn't itch or anything, not bothering him at all, just the bipeds, which is nice. I don't really want him to be a spotted dog, but at least from what I can tell so far he's not sick -- his only other "behavioral" change is that since he hung out with those other dogs back then, he barks at us to get us to play, which never was his deal before lol.

[crayzee101]

My 2 1/2 year old Maltese has always been all white (ears included) soft and wavy in his puppy cut. Suddenly small patches on his back appeared which are not itchy or red or anything, just hair broken off, then coming in a brown color with the appearance of coarse, straight almost beagle or something like that fur! The patches have grown, and are after 3 weeks at this point still only on his back. The vet has no clue. A 2009 post on this forum sounded similar, but had no answers either. I'm worried that it is something that will remain, worsen, or cause some other health problem for the baby. We were visiting friends for the first week, and actually thought their poodle had chewed off the patch of hair, but now that it's grown in weird I think he was probably smelling something there (we did see him with his nose on my little one's back in that spot several times). There was no change in his diet (mostly roast chicken, with NuVet supplements and Iams probiotic pills daily, Angel Eyes and a digestive aid on his food, and chicken tenders as treats). We did, at the vet's suggestion, give him children's benedryl for travel anxiety and some mild scratching (face mostly, none on his back), which was the only "new" substance. My hubby and I are now paranoid that he's sick, so we think he's laying around more than usual, but it could be that we are laying around more in this horrid heat and he just joins us! I've googled this issue, and found a few other people who have described the same process, but they were all in the form of questions like mine and no answers! Any help is much appreciated!
Hey there,

I have a 3 year old Havanese, and she is healthy and happy, but recently I've noticed this same mysterious fur color/texture change (in one spot on her back). It is darker and more coarse than the rest of her fur, and I too thought that my bigger dog had pulled a chunk of fur out of her back. I rushed her to the vet, and they seemed as clueless as I was (and still am) as to why this occurred. I've had dogs all my life (I actually lost my maltese just about 2 years ago :( but I've never experienced this with any of my other dogs. The vet said that it had nothing to do with my bigger dog since her fur isnt missing it is simply growing in darker and has a different texture. She is acting perfectly fine, but I'm still worried. Did you ever find any other causes/information or anything regarding this strange occurance? Let me know. Thanks -Stephanie

[JiJi's Mom]

Hey there,

I have a 3 year old Havanese, and she is healthy and happy, but recently I've noticed this same mysterious fur color/texture change (in one spot on her back). It is darker and more coarse than the rest of her fur, and I too thought that my bigger dog had pulled a chunk of fur out of her back. I rushed her to the vet, and they seemed as clueless as I was (and still am) as to why this occurred. I've had dogs all my life (I actually lost my maltese just about 2 years ago :( but I've never experienced this with any of my other dogs. The vet said that it had nothing to do with my bigger dog since her fur isnt missing it is simply growing in darker and has a different texture. She is acting perfectly fine, but I'm still worried. Did you ever find any other causes/information or anything regarding this strange occurance? Let me know. Thanks -Stephanie

:mtwelcome: Crayzee101


Hmmm, well I guess the condition might be rare but not uncommon. Well hopefully you two can just update us on their progress. This is just a guess but maybe they don't have enough oil glands in that area their growing hair.

As long as their healthy it shouldn't be a biggie. :)


We would love pics of your Havanese. All dogs are welcome here :D

[thedozos]

My vet says this "just happens" and it is probably unrelated to the Comfortis, etc. She was noncommittal about it ever growing back in right. I went online to "justanswer" with the question, and got "We're left with the "genetic predisposition for this to occur" diagnosis. I've had breeders insist that I biopsy these - only for the pathologist to find follicular dysplasia ("something wrong with the hair follicle") of an idiopathic etiology (unknown cause). " as my answer. Very frustrating!
I love Havanese, too -- I was debating between Maltese, Havanese, and Bolognese before I found my TicTac, who might now have his name changed to Spot.

[JesBred]

My first though at reading this post was diet.

I read you said he is being fed roast chicken with supplements but I wonder if for some reason he is not getting what he needs nutrition wise. If he isn't getting enough of what he needs it could cause his hair to fall out and become thin/brittle. Maybe talk to your vet about what he is eating and the supplements he is given to see if he is lacking anything you might be able to add. You may try putting him on a kibble also to see if that helps bring his coat back.. just a thought ;)

[Chantilly Lace]

I would check some of the medications or supplements side effects!

[Chantilly Lace]

My Vet and breeder does not recommend Comfortis for the small dogs! When did this come about? I don't use it so I can't speak for any side effects that I personally am aware of! Good Luck!

[thedozos]

I left out that he free feeds on various high quality kibbles. Right now he prefers the Blue Buffalo, but a couple of weeks ago it was a combo of Evo and Precise Plus, with the occasional Avoderm thrown in (we put it out in a couple of bowls, since he gets in moods about what he likes). Also, the rest of his hair looks good/normal for him, and those patches were never bare. He's a kinda spoiled boy:) Thanks so much for giving this some thought -- I really hope someone will see this and think of something, anything, we can try!

[thedozos]

Do you know why your vet recommends against the Comfortis? Mine seemed to think it was no problem, even knowing that my baby's tummy gets upset easily, and seeing the weird hair thing.

[JesBred]

Do you know why your vet recommends against the Comfortis? Mine seemed to think it was no problem, even knowing that my baby's tummy gets upset easily, and seeing the weird hair thing.

Dogs under 5lbs should not be on Comfortis but if he is over 5lbs it shouldn't be an issue. My Mitzy is 9lbs and has been on Comfortis for years with no issue

[thedozos]

TicTac is over 9 pounds these days, so I guess he's OK in that way:)

[S&LP's MOMMY]

About 10 years ago my cousin bought a maltese puppy from a pet store. The puppy was white as snow the first couple years and then started getting dirty blonde and light brown patches. I think 3 total. It resulted the dog had a little bit of mixing of breeds several generations back.

It doesnt sound to me as if your baby is sick. Are you certain there wasnt any mixing???

[thedozos]

His sire was a champion, but the 3 generations back chart I have they were all supposedly purebred Maltese, AKC and all... That said, the breeder didn't show hers and although the parents looked fine, she could have been making up the chart, etc. She seemed honest and clearly loved her 6 malteses, but who knows. Your question does prompt me to email her and ask/let her know and see if maybe someone jumped the fence:) It just seems so weird that if it was that, I would've thought there'd have been beige ears, or it would have shown up a lot sooner, but maybe not! Good thing I'm not one of those idiots whose dogs are really fashion accessories, or he'd be out of luck:)

[S&LP's MOMMY]

I know beige ears are within the maltese standards. If you are still nervous that your little baby has some type of condition. I would contact the breeder. Maybe she knows why this happened.

That would be horrible to stop loving your pup because of some color change
:(