Has anyone dealt with vitiglio?

The good news is that apparently it's really not a huge problem -- more unsightly than anything altho *some* dogs can have lesions in the area.  Usualy it's primarily on the face/snout area (in fact, it's most often called "snow nose" which is how I've always heard of it).

Try searching for "vitiligo" as that seems to be the preferred spelling.  It's actually simply a depigmentation of the skin and it's the same thing that occurred in Michael Jackson's skin?  (If your dog starts humming Billy Jean you've got a hit on your hands *smile*).

 This seemed to be the best link I found

http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dog-health/vitiligo.aspx

I'd be cautious with supplements ... simply because altho it can be a "lack" of something in the diet it's also associated with a buildup of free radicals -- and very often, if you overboard with supplements, etc. the "leftovers" that the body doesn't use can actuallly **Become** free radicals (in fact the very things you may be giving to avoid free radicals can turn into them).  My holistic vet tends to be pretty conservative on doses as a result.

There is some thought that it can be auto-immune -- however, for an auto-immune thing it seems pretty benign and I doubt I'd be trying to use immune-suppressors just for that. 

Are there any supplements you've used constantly wtih this dog?  It might be worth backing off and switching things up.  Things like Omega 3's can actually be over-done.  (that's one of the ones my holistic vet is always after me to be cautious with --in fact, he'd rather have me give something like a sardine a day than actually "supplement" with Omega 3's for that very reason)

Was this ANY help at all?  I'd surely have the vet look at it -- ANY change in the skin is definitely worth having the vet look at, but it's not something I'd let put you in panic mode.

Hi Callie,

Thank you so much for the response!  Um, yea.  So worried I can't spell it correctly!

I've got fingers crossed that it is simply vitiligo.  I haven't heard him humming any MJ, but he does have some pretty slick moves chasing the squirrels!

Your link sums up a lot of what I found.  Yes, he has been on Omega 3's since he was about a year old.  I have usually given him the stardard dosage or less.  I will eliminate the fish oil and see if that makes a difference.  He is on raw beef and the NDF2 from Volhard, so that should cover most of the nutritional bases.  I've tried S-L-O-W-L-Y switching over to other foods (seperate trials of less grains and more veggies; chicken instead of beef).  His digestive system really doesn't like the change ups.

I trust my regular vet, but I also know there is a fantastic holistic vet in town whom I might have take a look as well.

Don't ditch  Omega 3's all together - try just one sardine a day.  He'll LOVE It and it's well absorbed. 

I home cook - there is just plain nothing like it for being able to put what you want in it.  I cook once a week and portion it out.  I rarely add grain.

I'd be thinking about actual "detox" -- what modalities does this vet practice?  Homeopathy would likely be my first choice for something like that.  It's super for body balance stuff.

I will secure some sardines for the pup.  I've never had sardines in the house!  LOL  Will the ones from a can be fine?

The word from the vet is that he highly doubts it is lupus because it has been so slow to develop and he has had no other symptoms.  He suspects vitiligo or maybe a hereditary immuno issue.  The vet said that if I definitely wanted to rule out lupus, he could take two punch biopsies from the mouth.  I'm still weighing the pros and cons and the vet said there isn't a rush.

My vet does not do homeopathy, although he doesn't discourage it either.  I will see if I can get an appointment with the highly reommended holistic vet here in town and see what comes out of that.  I don't mind doing a detox, but I don't want to start tinkering with things without guidance!   

Yes -- canned sardines are great -- just either get them in olive oil or spring water (not mustard, jalapeno or tomato sauce -- and I prefer not canola oil)

*smile* It may open a whole new world to you -- sardines on crackers with a tiny bit of lemon?  It's a nice snack you can share -- and no I'm not crazy LOL

(but yeah, I like anchovies on my cesear salad too! LOL)

Hi Gina - Thanks for responding!  Ollie just turned five.  He has not had his thyroid tested yet.  (OK, I had to google phemphigus...)  He doesn't have any other symptoms other than the loss of pigment.  No itching, scratching, scabs, welts, lesions...  nothing.  The only symptom I see regarding the thyroid that might apply is tiring on long walks, but as soon at the temperature dipped below broiling to under 80 degrees here in Houston, it isn't a problem.    He does like to lay in the sun though.

I don't think the depigmentation got worse in the summer, but I'll look into safe sunscreens to have on hand.  I'll research the kelp, too.  His water is in a steel bowl and the food bowl is an aluminum brake-fast bowl, so he hasn't had exposure to plastic in over a year.

I'll let you know what happens!