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My dog has cysts and hair lightening. Could it be copper deficiency?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shorthaired Pointer (duplicate) | Male | neutered | 7 years and 6 months old | 70 lbs

My 6yo German Short Haired pointer has developed cysts on one side of his flank and hind leg. Over the last few years he also has a lightening of hair around his ears , nose and a patch on rear leg. I was told it could be copper deficiency, hower he has fish at almost every meal. Any advice is much appreciated,

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Published on July 9th, 2017

This kind of lumps/growths need to be ideally assessed by your veterinarian to have a definitive and specific answer. Usually there are two ways your vet can do that a part from examining it directly during physical examination. A biopsy can be taken under local or general anesthetic, otherwise a smaller sample through a fine needle can be aspirated (this technique is called FNA= fine needle aspiration).
Differentials include skin cysts, infections, benign or more sinister type of tumors.
Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
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