Crossword Genius

Coat may be problem for dog (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

distemper

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'coat' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Colourful coat' mean 'distemper' so perhaps 'coat' could also mean 'distemper')

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for distemper that I've seen before include "Paint - dog disease" , "Paint; canine disease" , "viral illness" , "Paint; disease of dogs" , "Colourful coat" .)

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