Believe It Or Not!

[seeh2o]

Good news on the Western front, the major coat blowing is being followed by what appears to be a winter coat coming in! (Oh, does that mean winter will come soon and be hard???? I sure hope so...I found a real fuzzy caterpillar at the end of May!!!) Claire has a 5 o'clock shadow on her thighs and on her chest and Carl's thighs are getting fuzzy again. I can't wait to see what this does to their real winter coats. I'd started giving it to them in January and while the results were dramatic, it wasn't exactly time for their winter coats to come in. Now that I'm giving it to them during their normal growth/shed cycle I am looking forward to the results.

Edited August 5, 2010 by seeh2o

[Guest FastDogsOwnMe]

I give it to the Borzoi. I can't wait to see the coat he might get. It's not like he's lacking... but he did have one (hidden) bald spot from years ago that hair never grew back on... the hair is fully in there now!

[Guest jettcricket]

Just got back from Rite Aid and found it...when I read what it was for it said it's a sleep aid. This is the stuff right???

 

I held off buying it, cause it was a small bottle and a bit pricey. I'll wait and go to CVS, but I just wanted to make sure before buying it.

 

Thanks for posting this Robin. My Hollie has a full coat, but Dave has some hair loss on his haunches and under his neck and my little man Duffy has some nakedness as well.

 

Can't wait to try it!!

 

 

[Guest KansasGrey]

We have been giving it to Magnus for about a month and not only is the fur growing his coat is soft as a bunny. It's amazing. We give

him half a 3 mg tablet pulverized (with pliers) on his kibble twice a day. Our foster is black and the back of her thighs are almost bald. She has only

been on it a couple weeks now.

[greyhoundlov]

We used Missing Link on our puppers and they ended up with "feathers" on their legs.

 

 

[Guest Smiley]

I'm really interested in this and have two questions. . . First, Melatonin was recommended to me as a supplement to help with separation anxiety. Anyone else hear this or use it for this? Secondly, are there certain brands that are better/safer for dogs? And is tablet form best? Thanks!

[Guest longdoglady]

It is interesting to read about Melatonin use in dogs as it is not cannot be bought legally in the UK. I have read up on it and although it seems relatively safe there are worrying side effects listed including vivid dreams, headaches, altering hormone levels, low blood pressure, depression and immune problems. Yet it is also suggested as possibly being beneficial for numerous conditions and very safe for short term use. I just don't know that I would be happy risking causing problems in a healthy dog for purely cosmetic reasons.

 

Is there any data of it's use in dogs and what is the opinion of US vets?

 

Not knocking anyone for using it but curious as it was sold as a supplement in the UK until it's status was changed to a medicine but it is not a licenced medicine so is hard to get even on prescription.

[Guest FastDogsOwnMe]

Anyone can buy it here. I used to take it for sleep, but it has no effect on me (I have a lot of anxiety, etc).

[Guest jettcricket]

<br />Anyone can buy it here. I used to take it for sleep, but it has no ef

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

fect on me (I have a lot of anxiety, etc).<br />

<br /><br /><br />

 

Yeah, I have problems with sleeping as well. So when I read it I thought, hmmmm....maybe I'll try taking it too.

[Guest FastDogsOwnMe]

A good coat is a sign of health.

[RobinM]

<br />Anyone can buy it here. I used to take it for sleep, but it has no effect on me (I have a lot of anxiety, etc).<br />

<br /><br /><br />

 

Yeah, I have problems with sleeping as well. So when I read it I thought, hmmmm....maybe I'll try taking it too.

 

You may have to shave your legs more often!!!

[Guest Furmom]

It is interesting to read about Melatonin use in dogs as it is not cannot be bought legally in the UK. I have read up on it and although it seems relatively safe there are worrying side effects listed including vivid dreams, headaches, altering hormone levels, low blood pressure, depression and immune problems. Yet it is also suggested as possibly being beneficial for numerous conditions and very safe for short term use. I just don't know that I would be happy risking causing problems in a healthy dog for purely cosmetic reasons.

 

Is there any data of it's use in dogs and what is the opinion of US vets?

 

Not knocking anyone for using it but curious as it was sold as a supplement in the UK until it's status was changed to a medicine but it is not a licenced medicine so is hard to get even on prescription.

 

I asked my Vet before giving it to Camp and he said he hadn't heard of it used for hair growth but had perscribed it for SA - said it was fine for long term use.

[Guest longdoglady]

 

I asked my Vet before giving it to Camp and he said he hadn't heard of it used for hair growth but had perscribed it for SA - said it was fine for long term use.

 

Maybe it works by reducing stress hormone levels? Anna is bald spot free at the moment by ruling out fish, lamb and wheat and adding in omega 3 oil and a small amount of raw green tripe daily. Melatonin seems easier

[RobinM]

When I mentioned it to my holistic vet who does the acupunture (not my usual vet) he said he has known some boxers who have benefitted from it. My vet heard about it and read exactly what I had read, not to give if dog has compromised immune system which is my Beau. It can cause tummy upset. That's the small print for the dogs!

[Guest jettcricket]

<br />

<br />

<br />Anyone can buy it here. I used to take it for sleep, but it has no effect on me (I have a lot of anxiety, etc).<br />

<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yeah, I have problems with sleeping as well.  So when I read it I thought, hmmmm....maybe I'll try taking it too.<br />

<br /><br />You may have to shave your legs more often!!! <img src="http://forum.greytalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif" /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

 

 

LOL...yeah, I hadn't thought about that!!

[OwnedBySummer]

Well, I started it last night (3mg). I'm hoping it works, especially in time for her September 8 photo shoot! Although I know that's asking a bit much, it would be nice to be able to have "rear angle" shots.

[seeh2o]

I'm really interested in this and have two questions. . . First, Melatonin was recommended to me as a supplement to help with separation anxiety. Anyone else hear this or use it for this? Secondly, are there certain brands that are better/safer for dogs? And is tablet form best? Thanks!

 

I originally heard about it for SA, I hoped it might take the edge off of his SA and it does! I'm not aware of any brands being better than others, I buy mine at Target, 120 3mg tablets for about $5 - $6. I give one to each dog in the morning an hour or so before I go to work. I talked to my vet about it, too. She practices traditional/holistic medicine and she gave me the thumbs up.

 

Edited to add that I take before I go to bed, too!

Edited August 7, 2010 by seeh2o

[OwnedBySummer]

I have now taken Summer OFF the melatonin. I found it made her waaaaay too lethargic and I don't like it. So... her coat will be what it will be. I have since started her on human-grade fish oil, 1 tsp. per day. Hopefully that will help but if she's to have bald spots, so be it. I love her anyway!

[Guest jettcricket]

I've had my kids on it for a little over 3 weeks....I don't really see anything yet, maybe a wee bit on Dave. As far as them being lethergic I give it to them at night so I haven't really noticed a difference as far as their energy level.

 

I've also been taking it for my insomnia and it does seem to help a bit, better than taking the Ambient that I prescribed.

 

But like you, if it works, it works if not oh well.

Edited September 4, 2010 by jettcricket

[kickchick2000]

After seeing this thread I went to the store and picked some up too. Our bulldog has serious hairloss on her sides to where she is bald in area. We have no idea how she got that way as she was like that when we adopted her from the shelter. So she started melatonin just about 3 weeks ago. It will be interesting to see how all the dogs that have started it do.

[RileysLegacy]

This is interesting. Riley had a very thick coat all over his body so I never gave much thought to bald greyhounds other than thinking it was cute. But now that I have Legs, I realize it is not just a cosmetic issue. Already I have noticed that he is more sensitive to bug bites, rashes, small cuts (and then he licks and makes them worse), sunburn, and his collar rubbing due to his lack of hair. So, I have started him on fish oil and melatonin. I am taking both of these as well. We will see what happens in a few months, but I am hoping he'll at least get a thin layer of hair to help protect his skin. I have been giving him the melatonin at night but have not noticed any difference in his energy. We walked a good 3 miles (and he is out of shape from not being walked in his previous home) the other night, and he was loving it. Giving him 3mg of melatonin per day really doesn't concern me at all. I hope to be able to post before/after pics soon!!