Major Hair Mats

[sherryllynne]

Hair Mats. My yorkie Ellie has AWFUL hair mats on entire body from wearing a body cast for 8 weeks. She is still tender and a we have a be very careful with her neck. Is there anything I can do to break up the mats shy of cutting them out? I have tried detangler, conditioner, Yorkie Splash and Shine. Any ideas welcome!

[Samuel-Samy]

I just cut them out, but Samy's were awful so there was no other way of doing it.

[sherryllynne]

Ok. So she will basically end up bald i think. Should be interesting. I guess she would feel more comfortable. Poor baby I just hate to cut out her hair. But she really looks pitiful either way! thank you

[YorkichonBella]

Originally Posted by sherryllynne

Ok. So she will basically end up bald i think. Should be interesting. I guess she would feel more comfortable. Poor baby I just hate to cut out her hair. But she really looks pitiful either way! thank you

There are really cute cuts where the body is shaved, but the legs & face are longer. Is it possible to just cut her legs short, but not shaved. Could be easier to get the mats out on her legs if shorter. Also I have used corn starch to get mats out by rubbing it into the mat. This is a very slow, tedious process. You don't want to hurt her.

[kjc]

You could try corn starch. Work it into the mats and reverse tease them out. Either way, mats can be painful and please be extremely careful when cutting them out, as it's very easy to cut into their skin at the same time. Little bit by bit. Take your time. Good Luck with her.

YorkichonBella: Ha! Didn't see your post till after I hit submit... good advice!

[Samuel-Samy]

Originally Posted by sherryllynne

Ok. So she will basically end up bald i think. Should be interesting. I guess she would feel more comfortable. Poor baby I just hate to cut out her hair. But she really looks pitiful either way! thank you

The hair will grow out... I am yet to rethink whether or not i want to shave him all off (body, not head) - but he would look like a mouse, he is soo tiny..
So far I have accomplished cutting all of his terrible mats and the rest i managed to untangle by pulling on the hair when he was asleep so he did not feel any pain, i was careful not to pull on his skin. Then eventually managed to comb him and now he is smooth (but with several bold spots, not too visible but you can see hair volume is missing).

[Samuel-Samy]

Good luck!!!!

[Princes mom]

Originally Posted by YorkichonBella

There are really cute cuts where the body is shaved, but the legs & face are longer. Is it possible to just cut her legs short, but not shaved. Could be easier to get the mats out on her legs if shorter. Also I have used corn starch to get mats out by rubbing it into the mat. This is a very slow, tedious process. You don't want to hurt her.

I was going to tell you what YorkichomBella posted on a thread entitled "Helpful hints that work..., but I see she saw you thread!

[Twinkie2Cute]

I must have missed this, but why was your baby in a cast? Poor thing!

[sherryllynne]

My baby has aai. She basically has the same story as Posey who was with Cathy Cyr for so long. Cathy has been a huge help. Ellie just turned five months old. Weighs 2.2lbs. Meets with surgeon end of this week to evaluate early cast removal due to breathing issues. She appears mostly mobile. She is just very fragile in the neck/spine. So searching gentle was to break up the mats. She is a major mess and wanted to hear all the ideas!

[sherryllynne]

Ellie does have a blog
Yorkie Ellie's Journey
Anyone who needs an AAI/AAS inspirational story and support please share her journey

[Twinkie2Cute]

Originally Posted by sherryllynne

Ellie does have a blog
Yorkie Ellie's Journey
Anyone who needs an AAI/AAS inspirational story and support please share her journey

Poor little baby! I'm glad to hear that Ellie is in good hands! I am going to check out the blog now! Thanks for sharing...

[YorkichonBella]

Originally Posted by sherryllynne

Ellie does have a blog
Yorkie Ellie's Journey
Anyone who needs an AAI/AAS inspirational story and support please share her journey

I just read Ellie's blog. I had no idea when I posted here that yr baby had overcome so much. What a miracle adorable little baby girl you have!! Sending my thoughts & Prayers for Ellie to get stronger & stronger. She has overcome so much in such a short time.
She will be gorgeous even if you have to shave her mats. Bless her heart, I know you don't want to put her through any more discomfort. If so, it will be fun to find her clothes to wear while her hair grows. I wish you & Ellie the Best! Pls keep us posted!
I had tears reading Ellie's blog because she has to endure this, but then tears of joy for what she has overcome. When I first joined YT, there was a story similiar to yours that I will never forget. This was a tiny boy also who has AAI. He is now 2 yrs old. Thought you might like to read: You can see the other posts through her profile.
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/my-...ports-car.html

HUGS! to you & Ellie

[YorkichonBella]

Thinking of Ellie! How's it going with the mats?

[sherryllynne]

Hi no success with the mat removal. Ellie goes to vet tomorrow for a shot so i will ask what we should do. If they dont know i will ask on friday at appt with her surgeon. I am really thankful we live in Ga and it is getting warmer. Between that and putting her dresses on her she should be fine. Say some prayers tomorrow and esp friday. I will update. Thx everyone for advice and concern for ellie.