Another SFA question?
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Another SFA question?
Submitted by Krazegurl_ds on April 20, 2010 - 11:27pmI took Elanine's advice and searched previous posts to get info on SFA, but here's a question i couldn't find. My husband and i work nights so we are sleeping during the day mostly. We keep our bedroom blacked out in order to make sleeping easier. Dozer usually sleeps with us during the day and roams loose in the house while we work at night. Could the problem that's causing the SFA be lack of sunlight? I figured it up and he probably gets only a few hours of actual outdoor sunshine a week tops. Should i start leaving him out in the living room while we sleep so he can get some sun? We dont have a fenced back yard so leaving him outside a few hours a day is not an option right now. Would more sunlight help?
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Sorry I didn't see the post below!
Have you tried melatonin?
My 4 year old girl started getting the SFA every year towards the end of Winter. I had her tested for thyroid to make sure it was SFA to begin with. The first year I put her outside a lot and her hair filled back in completely. The second year I couldn't put her out so much and her hair didn't fill back in all the way. This year I read on the BDW about supplementing w/ melatonin from Sept.-Feb. We've been giving her 3 mgs in the morning and 6mgs @ night and it seems to be working. I have heard of it making them sleepy, that's why I do the 6 mgs. at night. She still has a few little bare patches one on each side but nothing like what it was.
suggestion
Those full spectrum lights made for plants can be used to mimic sunlight. I use the spotlight type for my houseplants in the winter and they also come as florescent tube lights. Maybe change out the bulbs in the rooms your dog has access to to boost the quality of the light he gets.
Light boxes are also made for people that suffer from SAD (Seasonal affective disorder) that might be beneficial to him, but I'm guessing changing your bulbs would be cheaper.
Yes, sunlight would help...
SFA happens during the winter months when the days are short and sun light is less. The dog being in a darkened room all day would certainly contribute to SFA.
Sue