Fur loss and change in skin colour!

My male blue staff is 5yo. Always had problems with his skin which we think are food/environmental. Not sure if there’s anyone that’s suffered the same and have any suggestions? We buy hypoallergenic food and make sure it’s mainly fish based. His skin seems to improve then when he’s settled on it it gets worse again. The skin under the fur is in small circles and not sure if change from black to white or the other way. Will attach pictures. Also he doesn’t scratch anymore/ or have any sore skin but is very sensitive, for example can’t wear a collar for long periods of time of skin becomes inflamed. Also the skin is not raised or anything. Not sure if it’s the pigment in his skin that’s changed.

Hello & welcome.

My first thought would be sensitivities due to his colour - ie Colour Dilution Alopecia. However, he looks like a blue brindle rather than solid blue?

Has he always had this problem or is it recent? What colour were both of his parents? Is his skin healthy looking, or does it look dry/scaly? It's hard to see from the pics.

What brand of food does he have? Does it contain wheat?

Sorry for all the questions!

Thank you so much for replying. He’s always had this problem. Just seems to be worse as he’s getting older. He did use to chew his paws a lot and scratch but since changing him onto foods with no grain and hypoallergenic it no longer seems to bother him. His mum and dad were both blue. I know now it is terrible breeding and it was a BYB. Know better now. Currently he’s on wellness CORE Ocean Fish Salmon and Tuna Grain Free. I’ve tried all sorts of grain free/hypoallergenic. Seems to settle a bit when we first change then starts up again. I was wondering if there’s any better food, any supplements etc that might help. The skin seems fine, no soreness, sometimes a little dry.

Also he was a solid blue but seems to change to blue brindle in summer then darker in winter?

Has he seen a vet?

If it's a reaction to something environmental then a piriton tablet twice a day may help. So may wiping him down with a damp cloth every time you come in from the garden or a walk.

I agree with Gilly's suggestion, you could also try adding Salmon oil to his diet as it's good for the skin & coat

gillybrent wrote:Has he seen a vet?

If it's a reaction to something environmental then a piriton tablet twice a day may help. So may wiping him down with a damp cloth every time you come in from the garden or a walk.

He hasn’t since it’s gotten worse. We did in the beginning and they were disinterested and said it was likely food allergies as we’d explained we changed to grain free and it was making a difference. I called up in the midst of the pandemic but they were only seeing emergencies so looking to get him back in now things are back to ‘normal’. We have gotten rid of all the grass outside which I think did make a big difference. Will try the salmon oil. And other supplements that might help the fur grow back? As it’s there..just thin

Maybe coconut oil too, could help

Definitely try Piriton. If it improved after you got rid of the grass it may well be a sensitivity to plant sap. Grass sap often causes problems, but Piriton can help. Also, wiping down with a warm damp cloth after exercise can help.