PLEASE HELP!! My yorkie is losing his hair & his skin is dry/scaly! :(

[babyboomer]

Hi everyone! I really wanted to get some advice from fellow yorkie owners about my baby Boomer's skin problems.

So when we first got Boomer at 2 months, his hair was healthy, nice and smooth. After 3 months everything started to go downhill. I think this first started because my friend who was babysitting him, washed him with human shampoo. She didn't know they were bad for dogs.... gahhh! I was thinking, oh its just one time, Boomer's going to be okay.

So when hes about 3 months old, his skin starts to become extremely dry and scaly. Boomer also itches like CRAZY throughout the day. We thought it was fleas at first... so we gave him and our corgi frontline, just in case both dogs have fleas. We havent seen fleas at all ever since we've had him, so we cancelled that out.

We dont give him a bath every week (I hear you should when their skin is bad), but I'm scared if I wash him every week that his hair is going to fall out even more ! My boyfriend also said that the natural oils that dogs create is good for them, which is why we shouldnt normally bathe our dogs that often. We were using oatmeal shampoo at first, then we switched to dandruff shampoo. Nothing has really changed.

At this point his hair is thinning out & I even see split ends ! He doesn't have the normal hair of a yorkie, it's dry, rough and all over the place. Plus, he doesnt have much of it, which is why I'm freaking out. Yorkies should have a lot of hair So we take him to the vet to see whats wrong. The vet gave us no helpful answer at all -__- we tell the vet he doesnt have fleas, so she says shes going to do a mange test. $175 later... she does the test and there is NO sign of mange... but she insists on giving us revolution to put on Boomer every month and some medicine thats suppose to help out his skin. Its been more than a week already and the itching, hair loss, scaly skin has not gone away. The vet also said that it shouldnt be allergies because he is too young to get allergies. They had no idea what was wrong with him.

We fed Boomer Royal Canin, after reading some posts, people have been saying that this brand tends to cause allergies. So two days ago I bought blue buffalo for him. He is still non stop itching, bites and licks his legs, his skin is extremely flaky (looks like dry skin or dandruff, not too sure) his skin is starting to get red from itching so much, his hair is still thin and doesnt look like any of it is growing. I'm all out of options I have no idea whats wrong with my dog. I dont want to go to the vet again and waste a grip load of money. Should I continue to give him a bath every week? Try to find different dog food brands? Any advice would help Thank you!

Note: We do have another dog, a corgi. I believe she also has allergies because her eyes are always watering, she licks her paw like crazy, but we have no idea what shes allergic to. I hope both of them being together isnt the cause of their health problems

[Wylie's Mom]

At his age, allergies would indeed be *very* rare, but they can actually happen.

To me, those pictures look like he may have pyoderma (staph intermedius) - a skin infection...did the vet do a skin scraping of these reddish areas and look at it under scope, bc that would be all it needed to diagnose pyoderma.

I can't imagine a thyroid problem in a dog this young, but has his thyroid been checked?

You should read this thread about allergies and how to approach them: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/die...tart-here.html

Here are your options:

1) keep going to your regular vet multiple times, probably about 5 more times at least...with no solution. This would probably amount to around $400-500 at the end.

2) go to a Vet Dermatologist and get on the right track immediately. They may charge $100-175 at your first appt, but they WILL get you the correct diagnosis. You can locate a vet in your area by going here: acvd.org | Home | Veterinarians with specialized training in skin, ears, and allergy

It sounds like your other dog also has allergies, as evidenced by the paw licking and chewing. I'd get a good allergy shampoo (NOT dandruff!) like Duoxo...get it on Amazon, not from the vet. Also, I'd get them something like Natures Logic Venison kibble.

[kimp5]

Jessie used to scratch alot. I started rubbing coconut oil on her after her bath. Not much though. Not only has her itching subsided she doesnt smell as bad so she can go two weeks without a bath, which is great because it is in the single digits in boston. I would try a small amount on a dry area as a patch test.
I just take a small amount, rub it in my hands and run it through her hair and then brush her. She loves the "scratch " the brushing gives her and it evenly dispenses it. Like I said though I would do a patch test first.

[Dayswalters]

I would try the vet dermatologist if it were me. It will probably save you money and heartache in the long run.

[babyboomer]

Originally Posted by kimp5

Jessie used to scratch alot. I started rubbing coconut oil on her after her bath. Not much though. Not only has her itching subsided she doesnt smell as bad so she can go two weeks without a bath, which is great because it is in the single digits in boston. I would try a small amount on a dry area as a patch test.
I just take a small amount, rub it in my hands and run it through her hair and then brush her. She loves the "scratch " the brushing gives her and it evenly dispenses it. Like I said though I would do a patch test first.

Is it okay if we lather coconut oil on him, leave it on for 5 mins and then wash him off with shampoo afterwards? I'm scared the coconut oil is so oily that it's going to attract ants lol

[babyboomer]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

At his age, allergies would indeed be *very* rare, but they can actually happen.

To me, those pictures look like he may have pyoderma (staph intermedius) - a skin infection...did the vet do a skin scraping of these reddish areas and look at it under scope, bc that would be all it needed to diagnose pyoderma.

I can't imagine a thyroid problem in a dog this young, but has his thyroid been checked?

You should read this thread about allergies and how to approach them: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/die...tart-here.html

Here are your options:

1) keep going to your regular vet multiple times, probably about 5 more times at least...with no solution. This would probably amount to around $400-500 at the end.

2) go to a Vet Dermatologist and get on the right track immediately. They may charge $100-175 at your first appt, but they WILL get you the correct diagnosis. You can locate a vet in your area by going here: acvd.org | Home | Veterinarians with specialized training in skin, ears, and allergy

It sounds like your other dog also has allergies, as evidenced by the paw licking and chewing. I'd get a good allergy shampoo (NOT dandruff!) like Duoxo...get it on Amazon, not from the vet. Also, I'd get them something like Natures Logic Venison kibble.

Do you know if it's okay to use sentry flea and tick shampoo that has oatmeal in it? That's the only one we have right now, but I feel like I should be buying a better shampoo, because the back of the flea and tick shampoo says that dogs can have an allergic reaction to it

[ladyjane]

Vet dermatologist is where I would go next.

[sandy simpson]

NO do not use that sentry stuff. HIs skin is very sensitive right now. I went to a derm dr. with my little Chips. He said use Hy-lyte shampoo which I get at my vet and still use it on my dogs. He said put her on a venison base dog food and that really made the difference. I would definitely get to the derm dr. and change the food after you see him. I bet it is something in the dog food. So much junk is in some dog foods and our dogs are itching.
I hope this helps. Keep your dog out of the grass also.

[TysonMyBoy]

OUr girl, Rin, has seborreah (sp?). The vet prescribed Duoxo shampoo. I buy it through Amazon, as it's much cheaper. This shampoo works well for her and she seems to be less itchy after her bath. Good luck.

[Amazing Yorkies]

I agree a dermatologist Vet is the next step.
I agree with Wylie's Mom, but could also be walking dandruff. Caused by a mite. Use a medicated Shampoo twice a week for 3 weeks. His coat looks oily but skin is dry, which leads me to believe it's a skin bacteria.

[joyce evans]

As others have said I would start with a Dermatologist. You could end up spending tons of $$ on Shampoo's and dog food and your baby still be miserable with no answers. Maybe someone here can give you an idea of the approximate cost for visit to Dermatologist if that is your concern. My pups have never been so IDK. I hope you find out what it is!!

[kimp5]

You could try putting it on (coconut oil) and then rubbing it in and rinsing off the excess.

[Lacy's Mom]

Every puppy I have purchased being fed a diet with corn (like Royal Canin) had watering eyes and dandruff, but not hair loss. The Blue is a much better food and will probably help a lot, but it doesn't happen overnight. It will probably take 4 to 6 weeks. I would also be very suspect of the Revolution causing the problems. I would also try an antibacterial, antifungal shampoo to see if that helps. With both dogs suffering I would take a close look at their environment - lawn fertilizers, carpet shampoo, etc. Also make sure the puppy is worm free because a heavy load of worms can translate into a poor rough coat.

[Afnansabbagh]

My 8 months yorkie had skin problems since I got him when he was 4 months old !
He was also bold in his tail area but now hair grew back!
Now hair fell off his ears and nose bridge and I've been taking him to the vet a lot, he took hair samples of the affected areas and checked under the microscope! And said that he has bacteria and fungus ! So he gave me 3 ointments to use and shampoo him every week. He said it's a slow process but I'll try after 2 weeks and aww how he feels! He's also itching his ears a lot ! It's red and flakey and lost all hair like ur dog! But I would let the vet check a sample like what my vet did ! At least you will know what's wrong .

The resoaon he said this is happening is because my yorkie is so small only 650 grams and probably has low immune system!

Hope you find out what's wrong with ur puppy! Xo

[SGMCR]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

At his age, allergies would indeed be *very* rare, but they can actually happen.

To me, those pictures look like he may have pyoderma (staph intermedius) - a skin infection...did the vet do a skin scraping of these reddish areas and look at it under scope, bc that would be all it needed to diagnose pyoderma.

I can't imagine a thyroid problem in a dog this young, but has his thyroid been checked?

You should read this thread about allergies and how to approach them: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/die...tart-here.html

Here are your options:

1) keep going to your regular vet multiple times, probably about 5 more times at least...with no solution. This would probably amount to around $400-500 at the end.

2) go to a Vet Dermatologist and get on the right track immediately. They may charge $100-175 at your first appt, but they WILL get you the correct diagnosis. You can locate a vet in your area by going here: acvd.org | Home | Veterinarians with specialized training in skin, ears, and allergy

It sounds like your other dog also has allergies, as evidenced by the paw licking and chewing. I'd get a good allergy shampoo (NOT dandruff!) like Duoxo...get it on Amazon, not from the vet. Also, I'd get them something like Natures Logic Venison kibble.

PLEASE LISTEN TO WYLIE'S MOM!

My Gidget went through something similar and Wylie's mom was right on target. She was extremely helpful with the advice and helped my Gidget. She knows what she is talking about.

From your pics I agree with the skin infection. An antibiotic will take care of this quickly but the longer you wait the worse it will be for your baby and cost you a lot more money $$$.

Wylie's Mom helped me ask the right questions to put to my vet. Gidget also has severe allergies and she's not even a year old yet.

My Gidget is well and doing great today. Doesn't itch, beautiful coat and rambunctious as ever.

Good luck. This forum is the greatest.