6mth old with hair loss - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Sharon Clemons · 08-16-2013, 12:13 AM

Hi I'm new to YT so hope I'm posting in correct place. My yorkie is 6mths old and has scratched herself bald from her hind legs up to shoulders. We had a flea issue for a while despite monthly treatment. I finally realized the issue was outside then of course in my house. I treated my yard and house several times and started her on Program Plus rather than Front Line. The fleas are under control but it was almost like overnight I noticed she had lost a ton of hair. Will her hair grow back and if so how long will it take? I read on some sites that it could be permanent

Mistymillar · 08-16-2013, 01:01 AM

Hi there, sounds like he may have allergies, this could have been to the fleas which I believe is quite common or could be lots of other things.

Allergies are rare in such young dogs but are getting more common. My Alfie has had allergies since he was about 4 months it took a long time for our vet to diagnose as he was so young but we took him to a doggie dermatologist and are waiting now to get full allergy testing done, my derm wouldn't do this until he was a year old and he just had his birthday on August 6th. Here are some pics when he was really bad.
Attachment 390680

6mth old with hair loss-imag0736_zps8c876880.jpg

6mth old with hair loss-imag0743_zpse97b95fd.jpg

Right now you can help to manage the symptoms by feeding a good quality grain free hypoallergenic food. I buy baby gros and cut a whole for his bottom and up the front for him to pee he wears these at night and when we are at work to minimise the damage he can do to his skin. Keep his nails trimmed and put baby boogie socks on his hind legs, if he nibbles as well as scratching you may need to use a collar on him. Al of this will give his skin some rest and let the hair grow back.

Alfie is a much better happier dog now, with steroid, antihistamine, and medicated shampoo treatments. He has also had to have quite a few antibiotic treatments when he has kicked himself raw or broken his skin in seconds of scratching. Here he is now and with his homemade jammies.

6mth old with hair loss-null_zps8d4f8593.jpg

6mth old with hair loss-null_zps9f7ed326.jpg

Sharon Clemons · 08-16-2013, 01:30 AM

I'm almost certain it is from the fleas. Never had this problem before the flea issue. We had a lot of company in March and everyone brought their dog to my house. After the weekend is when we noticed the fleas were really bad. I treated her and my pit, Abbey but no matter what nothing worked. It seemed the fleas were getting worse. It took several months but as I mentioned earlier the fleas are gone and she no longer has them nor is she scratching now, however, the hair is gone. My husband says she looks like a lion. Her hair is as long as it has ever been from her shoulder up and her face. I keep baby onsies on her and cut a hole for the tail. I buy preemie as she is only about 1-2lbs. Closer to one!. I just hope the hair will grow back. I will post pics tonight. thank you

bchgirl · 08-16-2013, 03:22 PM

It would be best not to keep her in a oneis...the friction alone causes hair loss.

circi · 08-16-2013, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharon Clemons

I'm almost certain it is from the fleas. Never had this problem before the flea issue. We had a lot of company in March and everyone brought their dog to my house. After the weekend is when we noticed the fleas were really bad. I treated her and my pit, Abbey but no matter what nothing worked. It seemed the fleas were getting worse. It took several months but as I mentioned earlier the fleas are gone and she no longer has them nor is she scratching now, however, the hair is gone. My husband says she looks like a lion. Her hair is as long as it has ever been from her shoulder up and her face. I keep baby onsies on her and cut a hole for the tail. I buy preemie as she is only about 1-2lbs. Closer to one!. I just hope the hair will grow back. I will post pics tonight. thank you

It's common for dogs with flea allergies to lose hair like that, even if the fleas are minimal. Now that you've taken care of the problem it should grow back, but you'll need to be vigilant about flea control in the future. Even 1 bite can cause hair loss in dogs that are sensitive to fleas. If the hair doesn't start growing back pretty quickly though you will want to start looking into other possible causes for the hair loss.

Hope that helps!

08-16-2013, 12:13 AM	#1
Sharon Clemons YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Dublin Ga Laurens Posts: 2	6mth old with hair loss Hi I'm new to YT so hope I'm posting in correct place. My yorkie is 6mths old and has scratched herself bald from her hind legs up to shoulders. We had a flea issue for a while despite monthly treatment. I finally realized the issue was outside then of course in my house. I treated my yard and house several times and started her on Program Plus rather than Front Line. The fleas are under control but it was almost like overnight I noticed she had lost a ton of hair. Will her hair grow back and if so how long will it take? I read on some sites that it could be permanent

08-16-2013, 01:01 AM	#2
Mistymillar Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Belfast Northern Ireland Posts: 1,129 Blog Entries: 1	Hi there, sounds like he may have allergies, this could have been to the fleas which I believe is quite common or could be lots of other things. Allergies are rare in such young dogs but are getting more common. My Alfie has had allergies since he was about 4 months it took a long time for our vet to diagnose as he was so young but we took him to a doggie dermatologist and are waiting now to get full allergy testing done, my derm wouldn't do this until he was a year old and he just had his birthday on August 6th. Here are some pics when he was really bad. Attachment 390680 Right now you can help to manage the symptoms by feeding a good quality grain free hypoallergenic food. I buy baby gros and cut a whole for his bottom and up the front for him to pee he wears these at night and when we are at work to minimise the damage he can do to his skin. Keep his nails trimmed and put baby boogie socks on his hind legs, if he nibbles as well as scratching you may need to use a collar on him. Al of this will give his skin some rest and let the hair grow back. Alfie is a much better happier dog now, with steroid, antihistamine, and medicated shampoo treatments. He has also had to have quite a few antibiotic treatments when he has kicked himself raw or broken his skin in seconds of scratching. Here he is now and with his homemade jammies. __________________ Tracey and Wee Alfie "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

08-16-2013, 01:30 AM	#3
Sharon Clemons YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Dublin Ga Laurens Posts: 2	Thanks for the quick reply I'm almost certain it is from the fleas. Never had this problem before the flea issue. We had a lot of company in March and everyone brought their dog to my house. After the weekend is when we noticed the fleas were really bad. I treated her and my pit, Abbey but no matter what nothing worked. It seemed the fleas were getting worse. It took several months but as I mentioned earlier the fleas are gone and she no longer has them nor is she scratching now, however, the hair is gone. My husband says she looks like a lion. Her hair is as long as it has ever been from her shoulder up and her face. I keep baby onsies on her and cut a hole for the tail. I buy preemie as she is only about 1-2lbs. Closer to one!. I just hope the hair will grow back. I will post pics tonight. thank you __________________ Layla Kate's Mommie

08-16-2013, 03:22 PM	#4
bchgirl Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: at da beach Posts: 15,444 Blog Entries: 2	It would be best not to keep her in a oneis...the friction alone causes hair loss. __________________ Deb, Reese, Reggie, Frazier, Libby, Sidney, & Bodie Trace & Ramsey who watch over us www.biewersbythebay.com