Fur loss without other symptoms

Rio is my 4 year old male staff. He is a blue cross brindle and his coat has a 'ghost' appearance. I noticed that he was thinning at the back of his neck about a year ago which has gradually spread along his spine making its way to his rump. I had him castrated around 16 months ago because he humped practically everyone he came into contact with except for myself. He has no other symptoms-no itching, redness, lumpy skin. Other than the thinning along his spine is coat is very shiny. He has 1 tin of butchers tripe a day and a bowl of complete dry food which he snacks on throughout the day but never eats a bowl in one sitting. His water intake is good also. I have read up on fur loss but as he has no other symptoms am wondering whether it could be a hormonal imbalance brought on by his castration. Has anyone else had the same problem?

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Hi & Welcome to the Forum from Flo and me

Rio looks like a real character there

I would be surprised if it was a hormone deficiency, what does his vet say? Another thing to consider is the quality of food, butchers isn't the best so it might be worth looking at some changes there. Coconut oil is reported to be very good for fur and it might be worth adding a half teaspoon a day to his food and see if that makes a difference.

It could also be allergies that's causing this, however, only a vet will be able to diagnose that, equally, if there is no itching this would be way down my list of considerations.

I'm sure others will be along to offer advice shortly, do let us know how Rio gets on.

Hi and welcome.

Without seeing him 'in the flesh' it's difficult to make a diagnosis. However, as he's blue, it's possible that it's Colour Depletion Alopecia.

IF it is, then there's very little you can do other than keeping his skin healthy. Food will play a huge part in this. You say you give Butchers Tripe & a kibble? I have to say that Butchers isn't a 'good' food, but you don't say which kibble you give.

Personally, I don't agree with 'free grazing' but if that's what suits you, it's your choice.

You could try massaging coconut oil into his skin every couple of days, and adding some salmon oil to his food which might help.

I take it you've discounted Mites?

Hello and welcome from us.
Not able to give any advice on your problem but Rio is a very handsome lad !

my Buddy has the same sort of thing - he has bald patches on either side - it always looks as if his harness rubs but it isn't - it is seasonal alopecia - it goes by May - his dad was a blue and he has very thin fur anyway . I rub coconut oil in his fur and it does help -have him checked for mites just in case Buddy had Demodex mites when he was a pup and these are the areas his fur thins during the winter - if the vet cant find anything then he is ok - it just adds to his character - Buddies baldy bits as I call them always make a conversational piece with people - helps to enlighten people on how loving a staffy can be !

Thankyou for all the advice so far given but Im still struggling with finding a solution or in fact a cause for Rios' skin problem. I've changed his diet and he is no longer allowed to 'graze'. The kibble he now has is grain free rich in fish oils. It took him a few days to get used to it but has settled into his new diet and the regime.
I bought a good quality flea shampoo and put him in the bath stood on a white towel then showered him. The idea being that if he had fleas I would see them on the towel. Nothing.
I then bought a shampoo aimed at skin problems coconut oil being the key ingredient (very expensive).
Still no scratching but there are slight raised lumps underneath the fine fur. I bought some coconut oil and have massaged it into his skin.
There is no improvement if anything his skin is worse.
I have listened to the advice given and acted upon it.
I took him to the vets today, explained to him what I have already told you and was told that it looked like demodectic mange. To be sure he took a skin scraping. He sent me away with penicillin tablets and medrone tablets (along with a bill). He phoned a couple of hours later the necessary tests completed. He has not got demodectic mange, there is nothing wrong with his skin.
I already knew this because he wasnt scratching. His skin doesnt twitch if you lightly run a finger along the balding area.
Is there anything else-something I might have missed.

I honestly think he has Colour Dilution Alopaecia. We're his parents also blue?

Unfortunately, if that's the case there is not much you can do. Bathing too often will make things worse by drying his skin.

The only other thing I can think of is to try and find a holistic vet near you. Maybe an approach from a different angle might help.

Hi, thankyou you the advice but before accepting this as the problem, I want to tell you about Rio. After Tyson (my 15 year old staffy) died I was devastated. I swore never to get another dog but I came across Rio on a selling site. I fell in love with him instantly. He was 9 months old when I brought him home and it was pretty clear he had been left to his own devices. He was an absolute maniac when I got him, caked in muck, underweight, nails overgrown. He had never been in a car before which meant the drive from Bury to Bamber Bridge was a nightmare.
From day one, he came with me everywhere in the car. If shopping I would take him to my mums to mooch in her garden or to a friends.
I started part-time work last year which is now full time.
Could he be fretting? Another thought is that he sleeps in my bed, could he be having a reaction to changing the detergent I normally use?

What a tragic start in life but turn of fortune in finding you.
Change of detergent and/or fabric softener could definitely be worrh investigating.

A change of detergent or fabric softener could certainly be the culprit. So could nerves/anxiety. Poor fella's had a lot to deal with.

You could try washing your (and his) bedding with a baby detergent & softener & see how it goes.

You could also try an Adaptil spray (amazon sell them) which might help if he is feeling anxious.