Scar on head - any chance the hair will regrow?

[Reinell]

Hi everyone,

I have a new little Yorkie girl and my hubby and I just LOVE her (her big brother Rocky loves her most of the time too). I want to grow her hair so she can have a top knot. I started putting her hair up in those little plastic claw clips when she was about 14 weeks old.

Well, with one of those plastic clips in her hair she was playing with big bro Rocky and wacked her head on the table - it made a big bump on her head and a scab. I decided never again plastic clips and bought those 100% soft goodie tiny elastics.

I took the dogs to the groomer's last night and the scab from her head must have fallen off in the bath (I was careful when I bathed her before not to disturb it). MY GOSH IT IS A BIG SCAR! I am so sad, I nearly cried that I did this to her. I feel just awful! The groomer suggested I buy vitamin E oil and put a tiny hole in the end and squeeze some out on her scar and hopefully that will bring the hair back.

Any advice on this situation? I already feel awful - I should have known not to put something hard on her head when she is so playful.

[MI Yorkielover]

Don't be hard on yourself...accidents happen. If the baldness is from a bump and not a skin disorder it may very well grow back in time to where you won't even notice a scar. Just give it a little time.

[Reinell]

Thank you for your kind words. I really hope it will! I just wish it never happened in the first place ... It's superficial and I know it makes no difference to her, but feel bad about it!

[yorkieusa]

I would try the vit e oil as well. I imagine that it will eventually grow back, but it may take some time.

[Reinell]

At this point, eventually sounds good ...

Thanks for giving me hope!

[Patti]

I think it will grow back. Don't worry accidents happen.

[Reinell]

Thank you for your kind words Patti. I will hopefully have a good update to post in a few months!

[violet voon]

when Sugar was around 14 weeks, I didn't know how to "comb" her hair properly, ended up her top knot must be trimmed off. But sadly the groomer for full grooming was on leave, a Junior helped to get rid of that giant tangled top knot. The groomer pulled it so hard, and she hurt Sugar... (I never go back to the same groomer since then!!!)
Sugar's skin was nearly rip off, and I worried her hair won't grow back, I bought some supplements for her, and it helped a lot! I guess maybe you can try to give her supplements too?

[TwoforFun]

If you really want to know ask the vet next time she has a check-up. But to be honest most cuts damage the stem cell of follicles.
Vitamen E will help with the scarring. But she should grow enough hair to cover her scar for those beautiful top knots.

[Reinell]

@violet voon - what type of supplements did you give Sugar? Maybe I should try them! Nice to hear that Sugar's hair came back!!

@Twoforfun - yes, I think the hair for the top knot will cover the 'bald' spot but am hoping for some luck here. It turned from a bump to a scab to a bare patch of skin ... Hopefully that will turn into hair again

thank you all for taking the time to respond.

[jencar98]

I think it will be depend on how much tissue damage was done. Ruby had an abscess on her neck that was big (almost ping pong ball size ) after it healed she had a bald area about the size of a half dollar. It's been 1 1/2 years ago and now she has a pencil eraser size area that doesn't grown hair there. But, with all of her other long hair it's not really noticeable.

Your girl will probably grow most of the hair back, and it should cover the tiny area that may not grow....it will take time though.....be patient.

[Cha Cha]

I agree it just depends. I had one that just had a surface scratch, where no skin was broken, just the hair missing, and the hair never grew back. It was very very tiny. But, then I have had one with cat scratches that did break the skin (from playing) and that hair grew back just fine.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by jencar98

I think it will be depend on how much tissue damage was done. Ruby had an abscess on her neck that was big (almost ping pong ball size ) after it healed she had a bald area about the size of a half dollar. It's been 1 1/2 years ago and now she has a pencil eraser size area that doesn't grown hair there. But, with all of her other long hair it's not really noticeable.

Your girl will probably grow most of the hair back, and it should cover the tiny area that may not grow....it will take time though.....be patient.

Jencar, what caused the abscess? I'm glad that Ruby is okay!

[jencar98]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Jencar, what caused the abscess? I'm glad that Ruby is okay!

It was from a needle stick, when she had a blood draw. What was maddening, and frustrating was the vet not wanting to admit responsibility, claimed to not know what the "bump" was. I don't know if it was bc of a dirty needle, she moved or jerked away from him (I think this, only bc the vet specifically commented on how strong she was for such a tiny girl). Anyway, you could tell it was from the needle, bc in the middle of the bump was an obvious needle prick.

She had pancreatitis, and was having blood work done. I noticed the "bump a day or so after the needle stick, and brought it to their attention on the same day as her follow-up appt. For several days they let me believe it was a mystery, until finally it was pretty obvious what the bump was. After a day of warm compresses, the abscess opened up and finally drained. With antibiotics, constant bandage changing, syringing food and water to her for a week, the hole in her neck started to close. From the first day she got sick until the abscess started to close was over a month. And, if we had only been treating pancreatitis, she would have been better in a few days bc it was from an overeating event and isn't a chronic condition.

We did change vets during this situation after realizing what had happened. Our new vet was very disturbed by the actions of the first vet.

Thank you....yes, she's fine now....except for her tiny bald spot

[Reinell]

@ JenCar98 - my goodness ... ping pong ball is huge for such a little girl!! I am glad your baby is OK. I can understand you were very upset with the vet after that (especially with denying fault). I am glad you changed vets afterwards. It sounds like her hair grew back nicely ... I feel hopeful. I'll be patient. Nothing else to do but wait!

@ Cha Cha - interesting! I'll see what happens but will continue with the vitamin E for a while.