u/Fun-Condition-2984

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some insights regarding my 5-year-old male Golden Retriever. He recently underwent surgery to be neutered and to remove a testicular tumor.

Before the surgery, he had a very thick, healthy coat. However, shortly after the procedure, he started shedding excessively.
The situation is a bit complicated because, around the same time as his recovery, we took him to a pet shop for a bath. We suspect the grooming wasn't handled well—the soap wasn't rinsed properly, and we even noticed some blue spots/residue on his skin afterward.

I’ve done some research and found two possible angles:

1. Hormonal Imbalance: Google suggests that neutering (especially with a tumor involved) can cause significant hormonal shifts that lead to heavy shedding or "blow-out."
2. Contact Dermatitis/Irritation: I spoke to a shampoo manufacturer at a pet expo, and they mentioned that using the wrong soap or improper rinsing could definitely cause hair loss, though perhaps not this severely.
   Because the surgery and the grooming happened so close together, I’m having a hard time pinpointing the primary cause. Has anyone else experienced massive coat changes after a neuter/tumor surgery? Or could a bad grooming session really cause this much shedding in a Golden?

Would appreciate any advice or similar experiences. Thanks!

I also attach the picture before and after