black spot on tail also less hair? General Chat

Discussion in 'Alaskan Malamute' started by smak, Sep 1, 2018.

  1. smak

    smak New Member

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    black spot on tail also less hair?

    so I have heard multiple breeds have the glandular scent mark on their tails, my mal also has some hair thinning in that area of his tail.

    is this normal?

    no bald spot but certainly noticable that the fullness of the tail is interrupted at that point and then continues until the curled tip.
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  3. GsdSlave

    GsdSlave Member

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  4. CaroleC

    CaroleC Member

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    GsdSlave likes this.
    Does it irritate him? My last dog, when in her teens developed what appeared to be a sebaceous cyst in this position, (though she did have other smaller ones elsewhere). Despite vet treatment, it caused her irritation and she eventually opened the cyst up overnight. I had her tail amputated because of the proximity of the spinal cord. I would have it checked out by the vet too.
  5. smak

    smak New Member

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    i'll inspect the skin under the fur more closely tomorrow in the light.

    vets closed till tuesday anyways.

    thanks for replies.
  6. smak

    smak New Member

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    so its difficult to tell, and the black spot creates the illusion of highlighting this lack of hair density but there is certainly less long hair in that part of the tail.

    I assumed it's something common but thought i'd ask.

    the undercoat is too thick to see if the skin is skaley or anything there.. but I felt thoroughally and there are no cysts or uneven bumps in the area.

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  7. smak

    smak New Member

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    p.s. does not irritate him at all.
  8. CaroleC

    CaroleC Member

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    Is this an adult dog or a puppy?
  9. smak

    smak New Member

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    3 month purebred
  10. CaroleC

    CaroleC Member

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    Ah, in that case I don't think he will be old enough to have a hormone related condition.
    A patch of black skin could just be a natural skin marking. My female Beagle has lots of black patches that only show up when her white legs are wet.
    The other thing I wondered about is whether he turns round before he settles in a bed. That can cause a flattened area on the tail - especially a soft puppy tail.
    Always hard to say for sure at a distance, but I really don't think you have anything to worry about.
  11. smak

    smak New Member

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    he spins around occasionally before bed.

    you think its a dog tail variation on hat head?

    the spot even though not active the gland would still be present wouldent it?
  12. CaroleC

    CaroleC Member

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    There may be a rudimentary gland, but I wouldn't expect it to be obvious in a 12 week puppy - in fact I wouldn't be able to locate it on my own dogs tails. If there is something there that you feel isn't right, follow your gut feeling and ask the vet.
  13. smak

    smak New Member

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    its just the dark spot of fur on the tail.

    I thought this was common knowledge that it marks the scent gland.

    i'll do more research i'm net at this.

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