Posted by PHTasha on January 02, 2003 at 21:23:49:
In Reply to: Re: She\'s turning ORANGE!! Thanks, Tasha. posted by tylerjag on December 28, 2002 at 17:57:19:
:Hey Tasha and Melody!
:So far, Chelsea is still orange/rust colored on all 4 feet and her beard...and yes, she licks her feet a lot, but never used to turn these colors! And, no, she has not decided to be friendly with the cat. She's actually started to go to the bathroom in the house now, too, which she had NEVER done since she was a puppy 10 years ago. Now I'm wondering if this is stress related or due to old age??? She certainly doesn't act like an old dog, but she is developing some bad habits. My parents are going nuts. Any more advice? Thanks!
:Stephanie
Hmmm, no change in her food? Or has the food had some altered ingredients? I thought Melody's comment about the tear-tracks that, for instance, toy poodles get, was quite clever. It's possible, since saliva is also saline, that her saliva IS turning her fur orange where it drips or she licks. Perhaps the saliva itself has changed a bit as she has gotten older, if there has been no change by you as to diet (or by the company).
Just as a side note, when I was feeding commercial dog food to my black lab, her coat started getting a reddish tinge. I found out that the beet pulp that was an ingredient was what was doing that. I don't think that's the case with your girl....sounds too specific to places where her saliva touches.
As for the cat....putting her on a calmative and allowing some time to go by (when she can learn the cat is not sent to drive her crazy) might help the situation. Did your parents try the feeding on opposite sides of a gate thing? Just curious as to how it is going.
Tasha
