Dobermans often suffer from a congenital disease called color dilution alopecia (CDA) which causes excessive hair shedding and balding along the Doberman's underside and flanks. CDA may also cause bumps along the Doberman's skin. It is not a curable disease, but it can be managed through various treatment options.
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Disease Background
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CDA typically does not begin to manifest itself until the Doberman is a few years old. It is found in the "blue fawn" Doberman and is quite uncommon in Doberman's with black or red coats. CDA does not mean that the dog is unhealthy; it simply has thinning hair. However, have your veterinarian test your Doberman for any thyroid problems because thinning hair could be symptomatic of a more serious thyroid disorder. CDA is not curable because it is a genetic disorder that occurs in a very small number of Dobermans.
Proper Care
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One of the best treatments for Dobermans with CDA is a rigorous weekly shampooing routine. Shampooing with products that contain sulfur or salicylic acid is very good for thickening an otherwise thinning coat. If there is excessive thinning, you should use a stronger shampoo with benzoyl peroxide. This shampoo should address excessive thinning and deal with Dobermans that have bumps on their skin. In addition, you can obtain specific antibiotics for the bumpy skin from your veterinarian. Between shampooing, you should also try using a solution of two oz. Listerine and 18 oz. water. Spray this on the affected parts of the Doberman's coat.
Nutritional Treatment
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Proper nutrition will help thicken a Doberman's coat. In addition to a high quality dog food, you may also want to consider adding raw meat to the dry dog food. Good nutritional supplements include those with fatty acids. You can simply add a fish oil concentrate to your Doberman's food or add a fatty acid called borage oil, which helps thicken the coat. Flax seeds are high in omega 3 fatty acids, and can simply be sprinkled over the your pet's food. Other helpful supplements include vitamin E, kelp, folic acid, and vitamin B, all of which can be sprinkled on food or administered as pills
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