im not sure what caused this - YorkieTalk.com Forums

melissarenat · 08-11-2006, 12:06 PM

My female yorkie, Gabby (6 this year) has some thining hair on her sides and neck area and Im not sure if its from allergies or old age or stress... Her hair never grows longer than what it is in the pictures (taken 8/10/06) so im leanin more to an allergy problem.. They dont have fleas because we gave them a pill that kills them in 30min. and then gave frontline the next day (and they get combed with a flea comb) but she does bite and lick a lot. I guess I should note that she has a smallish bald spot on her sholder that the vet said was caused by a fungus but that started there a Long time ago...

My male yorkie, TJ, had allergies last month real bad. to the point his whole skin was ruby colored and scratched till he bled. a shot of cortizone and some relief shampoo from the vet cured that. so that makes me not so sure if its allergies.

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Patti · 08-11-2006, 12:50 PM

Could it possibly be Hormonal or Thyroid related? I would have the vet check it out,

RLC12345678 · 08-11-2006, 01:51 PM

Awwwww...poor little girl. Her skin and hair look really dry. My first guess would be allergies or maybe just plain ole' dry skin. What kind of food are you feeding her? A lot of yorkies are allergic to corn, which is in a whole lot of dog foods. Maybe you could try switching her food to something like Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul or Merricks. My parents' yorkie is 7 and her skin and coat don't look like this. This is what makes me think it isn't old age and it is something else.

P.S. -- Welcome to YorkieTalk, fellow Alabamian!

melissarenat · 08-11-2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLC12345678

Awwwww...poor little girl. Her skin and hair look really dry. My first guess would be allergies or maybe just plain ole' dry skin. What kind of food are you feeding her? A lot of yorkies are allergic to corn, which is in a whole lot of dog foods. Maybe you could try switching her food to something like Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul or Merricks. My parents' yorkie is 7 and her skin and coat don't look like this. This is what makes me think it isn't old age and it is something else.

P.S. -- Welcome to YorkieTalk, fellow Alabamian!

hi ^^
o.kiee. well the food i feed my male is purina kibbles mini chunks. (and i read the ingredients- ground yellow corn) i feed my female Pedigree's little champions (which i just read has dried corn) but both my of them switch bowls from time to time... and i did talk to my step dad about switching to another brand. i had no idea Both had corn! makes me feel aweful that i could be the cause of their irritation.
as far as the dry hair i wash them in Sergeant's Gold. flea and tick shampoo for dogs and puppies. and sometimes when they scratch too much i use relief shampoo the vet gave TJ when he had allergies real bad - its got pramoxine hcl and colloidal oatmeal for temporary relief of itching discomfort and omega 6 fatty acids for dermal renourishing...

RLC12345678 · 08-11-2006, 03:05 PM

I would DEFINATELY consider switching foods. Both my yorkies, like MOST yorkies, are allergic to corn...I was feeding the Purina Pro Plan at first. But I switched to Chicken Soup (which has NO corn in it) and their dry skin went away like magic! (Well, it took about a month to really see results.) Go to www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com and check it out. It is VERY reasonably priced...$7-8 for a 6 lbs bag. Here is a list of retailers in Alabama:
http://www.chickensoupforthepetlover...s.php?state=AL

I would also start bathing them in Oatmeal shampoo and use conditioner. I use the Seargent's flea shampoo, too, but the one I use is Oatmeal flea and tick shampoo and I follow up with Head & Shoulders conditioner. You can also try the Head & Should stuff that you squirt on them after a bath and leave it on. It's called Soothing gel or something?? My parents' use this on their yorkie with really dry skin and it works wonders!!!! I would try all these things first and see how they feel in a month. If their skin is STILL dry, you might want to consider supplementing their food with something like Missing Link. I also use this. It has Omega fatty acids in it and it really has done wonders on my yorkies' skin and coats. It is little granuals that you sprinkle on their food. It is also inexpensive...$10 for a 3 month supply. Let me know if you need more info on the MIssing LInk and I'll send you the link of where I buy it.

melissarenat · 08-11-2006, 03:06 PM

ha, i just realized your location info said huntsville. im in scottsboro ^^

Thank you so much for your help! i will certainallly give these a try

RLC12345678 · 08-11-2006, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melissarenat

ha, i just realized your location info said huntsville. im in scottsboro ^^

NEAT!!!!!!!! We're practically neighbors!!!!!!!!!

melissarenat · 08-11-2006, 03:31 PM

yep!
and my parents are gonna switch foods (i wrote down list of stores in huntsville from the link you gave me to chicken soup)
and i have a feeling their goin to swich shampoos too.

RLC12345678 · 08-11-2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melissarenat

yep!
and my parents are gonna switch foods (i wrote down list of stores in huntsville from the link you gave me to chicken soup)
and i have a feeling their goin to swich shampoos too.

If you are getting it from Huntsville, get it from CT Garvin Feed & Seed. They have the best prices....$7 for a 6lb bag.

If they are still looking dry after a month of being on the food, let me know and I'll give you more info on the Missing Link supplement.

Keep me updated on how it works for you!

melissarenat · 08-11-2006, 04:30 PM

ok thank you so much for your help!

Patti · 08-11-2006, 04:59 PM

I use the Missing Link on Cali and her skin and coat are so much better, but she is still scratching.

RLC12345678 · 08-11-2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patti

I use the Missing Link on Cali and her skin and coat are so much better, but she is still scratching.

I just got back from the vet and told her that I was feeding Chicken Soup, Missing Link, giving them Frontline every 3 weeks, and they are still scratching. She looked them over, said that they don't have allergies or anything, and said that most dogs just scratch...that is just what they do. I guess it's just a natural thing that we can't get rid of.

Lacy's Mom · 08-13-2006, 08:57 PM

The thinning hair on both sides is characteristic of a thyroid disorder or cushing's disease. I don't understand why your vet didn't run any tests? Any other symptoms like gaining more weight than she should, but still eating the same (thyroid) or increased urination and increased drinking and/or eating (Cushings)?

Lacy's Mom · 08-13-2006, 09:01 PM

http://www.peteducation.com/article....&articleid=449

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?articleid=416

Here's links on hypthyroidism and cushings for you to review to see if you see any other symptoms.

melissarenat · 08-13-2006, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lacy's Mom

The thinning hair on both sides is characteristic of a thyroid disorder or cushing's disease. I don't understand why your vet didn't run any tests? Any other symptoms like gaining more weight than she should, but still eating the same (thyroid) or increased urination and increased drinking and/or eating (Cushings)?

well we havent taken her to the vet yet (why i posted here first to keep from the bills) we cant afford a visit with me starting college next week and needing a car.. but she hasnt gained any weight or going to the bathroom more than normal. if anything we cant get her to go out the door half the time.

08-11-2006, 12:06 PM	#1
melissarenat YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: al Posts: 9	im not sure what caused this My female yorkie, Gabby (6 this year) has some thining hair on her sides and neck area and Im not sure if its from allergies or old age or stress... Her hair never grows longer than what it is in the pictures (taken 8/10/06) so im leanin more to an allergy problem.. They dont have fleas because we gave them a pill that kills them in 30min. and then gave frontline the next day (and they get combed with a flea comb) but she does bite and lick a lot. I guess I should note that she has a smallish bald spot on her sholder that the vet said was caused by a fungus but that started there a Long time ago... My male yorkie, TJ, had allergies last month real bad. to the point his whole skin was ruby colored and scratched till he bled. a shot of cortizone and some relief shampoo from the vet cured that. so that makes me not so sure if its allergies. DSCF0839.JPG DSCF0841.JPG

08-11-2006, 12:50 PM	#2
Patti Donating YT 10000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 19,197	Could it possibly be Hormonal or Thyroid related? I would have the vet check it out, __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : Maya's Mom RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

08-11-2006, 01:51 PM	#3
RLC12345678 I heart Hootie & Hobbs Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: USA Posts: 7,128	Awwwww...poor little girl. Her skin and hair look really dry. My first guess would be allergies or maybe just plain ole' dry skin. What kind of food are you feeding her? A lot of yorkies are allergic to corn, which is in a whole lot of dog foods. Maybe you could try switching her food to something like Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul or Merricks. My parents' yorkie is 7 and her skin and coat don't look like this. This is what makes me think it isn't old age and it is something else. P.S. -- Welcome to YorkieTalk, fellow Alabamian! __________________ Hobbs on Dogster Hootie on Dogster Lamar on Dogster Belle on Dogster Goose on Dogster

08-11-2006, 03:05 PM	#5
RLC12345678 I heart Hootie & Hobbs Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: USA Posts: 7,128	I would DEFINATELY consider switching foods. Both my yorkies, like MOST yorkies, are allergic to corn...I was feeding the Purina Pro Plan at first. But I switched to Chicken Soup (which has NO corn in it) and their dry skin went away like magic! (Well, it took about a month to really see results.) Go to www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com and check it out. It is VERY reasonably priced...$7-8 for a 6 lbs bag. Here is a list of retailers in Alabama: http://www.chickensoupforthepetlover...s.php?state=AL I would also start bathing them in Oatmeal shampoo and use conditioner. I use the Seargent's flea shampoo, too, but the one I use is Oatmeal flea and tick shampoo and I follow up with Head & Shoulders conditioner. You can also try the Head & Should stuff that you squirt on them after a bath and leave it on. It's called Soothing gel or something?? My parents' use this on their yorkie with really dry skin and it works wonders!!!! I would try all these things first and see how they feel in a month. If their skin is STILL dry, you might want to consider supplementing their food with something like Missing Link. I also use this. It has Omega fatty acids in it and it really has done wonders on my yorkies' skin and coats. It is little granuals that you sprinkle on their food. It is also inexpensive...$10 for a 3 month supply. Let me know if you need more info on the MIssing LInk and I'll send you the link of where I buy it. __________________ Hobbs on Dogster Hootie on Dogster Lamar on Dogster Belle on Dogster Goose on Dogster

08-11-2006, 03:06 PM	#6
melissarenat YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: al Posts: 9	ha, i just realized your location info said huntsville. im in scottsboro ^^ Thank you so much for your help! i will certainallly give these a try Last edited by melissarenat; 08-11-2006 at 03:09 PM.

08-11-2006, 03:31 PM	#8
melissarenat YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: al Posts: 9	yep! and my parents are gonna switch foods (i wrote down list of stores in huntsville from the link you gave me to chicken soup) and i have a feeling their goin to swich shampoos too.

08-11-2006, 04:30 PM	#10
melissarenat YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: al Posts: 9	ok thank you so much for your help!

08-11-2006, 04:59 PM	#11
Patti Donating YT 10000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 19,197	I use the Missing Link on Cali and her skin and coat are so much better, but she is still scratching. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : Maya's Mom RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

08-13-2006, 08:57 PM	#13
Lacy's Mom YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 2,931	The thinning hair on both sides is characteristic of a thyroid disorder or cushing's disease. I don't understand why your vet didn't run any tests? Any other symptoms like gaining more weight than she should, but still eating the same (thyroid) or increased urination and increased drinking and/or eating (Cushings)?

08-13-2006, 09:01 PM	#14
Lacy's Mom YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 2,931	http://www.peteducation.com/article....&articleid=449 http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?articleid=416 Here's links on hypthyroidism and cushings for you to review to see if you see any other symptoms.