[myluluyorkie]

Hello!

My name is Virginia and i have a beautiful 9 month old toy yorkie called Lu Lu.
When i went to Liverpool to meet the breeder and little lu lu he assured me that her parents were healthy and so were all the pups.
He also told me she was the 'runt' of the litter and that i was to take extra special care of her but told me that she was the bravest and most fiesiest of them all.

After taking her home and watching her grow months later i realised her hair was not growing as i thought it should so i called the breeder to ask. He said she could have taken after the dad and inherited alopecia (as her dad has alopecia ears) something which he only told me months after when i asked.
Ever since i can remember i have noticed her itching but recently over christmas it has got out of control. I have noticed her constantly itching, causing red/dry skin.
Her hair has always been very short, wirey and has always shed. She is particularly thin of hair on her head (since it has started changing colour), legs and neck. Her hair is wispy all over but does not seem to grow.

I have over the recent months changed her diet from kibble - wet (canned) food, boiled chicken with rice and veg.

Over Christmas i took her to the groomers to get her nails clipped, whilst i was there the groomers alerted me saying her hair is not how it should be and could be down to thyroid, mange, hormonal imbalance, skin allergies, food allergies and the list goes on.
I told them also that online i have seen many articles written about 'red-legged' yorkie who have short wirey hair... they told me with conviction that this is nonsence and that all yorkies should have long, silky hair.

After telling them of the situation they advised i go to the vet asap to see what they suggest.

Since then i have taken her to the vets and they seem at a loss. I was recommended antihistamine tablets and a medicated shampoo which i am to bath her in twice a week. The vet also advised me to feed her 1 type of protein starting with raw beef +veg for 1 month, then Boiled chicken +veg for 1 month, raw fish +veg for 1 month..... to see what foods she may be allergic too.( this sounding like a very long process)

If her itching persists she suggested she have a skin scraping done (but would put her under local anasthetic to avoid discomfort and mental trauma.)

I am going back to London later this month, and have booked an appointment with my regular vet there for a second opinion.

Can anyone help me..... please have a look at pictures of lu lu in the album and a picture of her mum and dad.

Please help im at such a loss... i just want her to be healthy and happy!!!

Your help would be greatly appreciated.