New Yorkie owner. She's not young.

[kiki4848]

I just adopted a Yorkie that we have no idea really how old. But I have seen her passed around and thought she might even be in danger of being put down. I won't go into it but I HAD to stop the madness. I just want her to be in her last home and feel the love back that she gives. I don't think her last mom really bonded with her at all. And before that the same thing. She doesn't have all of her teeth so her tongue sticks out one side of her mouth. But she seems to be doing better today after me taking her in yesterday. She was very depressed yesterday missing her old home. She was on a crap diet and I am changing that maybe sooner than I was going to, due to her not wanting her old diet. I offered her canned Natural Balance today and thankfully got her to eat some! I am alarmed at the amount of hair loss she is having especially since her bath today but I was noticing it a little before. Could this most likely be due to stress? I have 2 other dogs but they all seem to be doing just fine but her biggest stress I'm sure is just being in a new home. I am giving her her space or cuddles as she wants. She has been a very good girl though. I'm just so happy that she will never know abandonment again. She is mine no matter what till her last day. I just will never understand how people can give up a pet that obviously worships you. Any advice is welcomed. The hair thing is really concerning me though.

[Yorkiemom1]

How kind of you to take on the care of a senior....she will come around to you and you will have never known such love and devotion!

The hair loss can be from a number of things....stress, diet, medical issues such as thyroid issues....have you taken her to the vet for some blood work and general health check up? I would NOT let the vet start wanting to vaccinate first rattle out of the box...let her get her landing gear solidly on the ground, familiar with her new home and surroundings, and then when she is eating and settled in better, you can vaccinate.

I have started several of my seniors on the canned Royal Canin Mature food. They love it, and it is a pate' type dog food so no chunks for those senior teeth to chew up, and it has everything your senior needs nutritionally.....if that hair loss IS due to poor diet, this food will turn that issue around.

Bless you for "stopping the madness" with this classic lady.....loving and soothing and talking and carressing and stability in her environment will bring her around!

[Winkandshiny]

Welcome to YT and I think it's awesome you are giving this girl a forever home. I am a new Yorkie owner so I don't know about her hair but I agree with yorkiemom1 let the vet check her out. Enjoy your sweet little girl

[joyce evans]

Thank you so much for taking her in! I'll never understand how some animals get passed around like that! I have a friend who has an elderly Chi with very few teeth and her tounge sticks out too. I am the only person she will let doggie sit for her when she goes out of town and she made me promise that I would take care of her little girl should anything happen to her. Of course I would. Her little Chica Bell loves to come visit me and my DH because she gets a lot of extra attention. What is wrong with people these days?? Heartless! Give her extra hugs and kisses for me! So glad she's finally home!

[matese]

Welcome to YT. Thank you for rescuing this precious little senior girl. Sorry, I have no help to offer for hair loss. As other member advised, take it slow with her, let her come to you for comfort and loving. I know you must be treating her with soft words and praise, how could you not, you saved her life. She will come around, the sadness you see in her eyes now will fade and that yorkie sparkle will come through. God bless you for giving this little girl her furever home. Please keep us posted on her adjustments with you her new momma and her new fur friends.

[BorderKelpie]

Thank you for taking her in. I have a soft spot for the seniors. Such sweet, wise beings.

I am thinking poor diet and possibly parasites with the hair coat issues. You may wish to inspect her for fleas and bring in a stool sample to test. Also, I don't how your weather is, but heatworms will affect coat, too. Usually makes it dry and brittle, causing it to break off. Anything that steals nutrients from the host (dog) will affect the coat. Quite often, it's the first visual signs people notice when their pet isn't showing other symptoms yet.

Bless you for opening your heart and home to this precious little lady. Please keep us updated on her.

[Wylie's Mom]

Welcome to YT...and bless your heart for taking this dear girl in!!!

That level hair loss is not normal, no. I'd be worried about a thyroid issue and I'd also read about Cushings to see if other symptoms are present. Read here: Cushing’s Disease Summary

[kiki4848]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I think she is doing so good and feeling much more relaxed. She is eating very well now. I don't want to jinx it so will keep her on the Natural Balance, sweet potato and fish canned until she sees her vet on Friday. I will have blood work done etc. The hair loss is still so not normal. Her skin is very dry. But she is such a good girl. She is in good hands I promise you. I'll do as the vet advises.
I read a little about Cushings Disease and will ask the vet about it. I don't know that I really see obvious signs of that though. I don't see abnormal thirst or appetite. But I understand the symptoms can be subtle. I'm very anxious to get her to the vet but wanted her to settle in a little before I did that. But the hair and skin issue is pressing. I'll be sure to update after that appointment. thank you all!

[kiki4848]

Scarlet update.....Well it's been quite a day at the vet. It's good news and it's bad news. The itching an scratching along with flaky skin is due to allergies the vet thinks. He ran a full blood check and her thyroid looks great. He advised to give her Benydryl or Claritan. I got both, one being a liquid which I am trying first. Not sure how well she will take a pill. I did dose her up good tonight. She got most of it down. He also told me to give her fish oil on her food which I also bought and got her to happily lap that up out of a bowl not even in any food. I didn't know if she wo uld eat tonight because she hadn't wanted food this morning so I gave it to her after she ate. She ate very well tonight. He told me the food I switched her too was great for allergies but would probably take 2 to 3 weeks to kick in. He also didn't think I should give her back her old diet. I said no worries there!
She got no shots, no nothing else. I knew she had a lump but I was hoping it was just a scar from being spayed or something else that was no big deal. I was also afraid that it might be something else which in fact it was. frown emoticon As soon as they saw it I knew it wasn't good. She has mammary gland Cancer. I was afraid of this but tried not to think too hard on it before I saw the vet. This is ALL from her never being spayed. To all who don't spay or neuter....THIS is why you do it, as well as this world not needing more puppies that are neglected like Scarlet has been her whole life. The world is not short on puppies and never will be so spay and neuter. The chances of getting Cancer of some sort when a male or female is not neutered is significantly raised as they get older and are still intact. And if I understood right with each litter a dog has, the risk raises significantly for mammary gland Cancer. I suspect she was kept for breeding somewhere along the line and then tossed out when they felt she was used up. I could be wrong but we don't know where she came from except for the last 2 people who owned her before me. The vet thinks she has never been spayed. So, she is scheduled on Friday next week to be spayed and the affected mammary glands removed. We will go from there.
The good news though is this, he was really more positive when he called me back after the blood tests came back on her. He said the blood looks really really good. He also did xrays and said her lungs looks great and so it hasn't spread to her lungs. He thinks she is feeling pretty good except for the itchy allergy stuff which we hope to get under control.
He also thinks she is probably 10 plus in age. I am so sad for her to now have this after being passed around too many times and years and now have this happen. But whatever is in store for her I will do everything I can for her and she will be happy and very comfortable. She doesn't deserve this. I'm not sorry I took her. I knew the risk. But knowing this, and not knowing whatever she may have been in store for had I not adopted her, I know this is what was meant. Sh might break my heart but I can help hers feel much better and that's that. She's been through enough already. Puppy prayers for Scarlet please. I will know more after her surgery.
She had her allergy meds, ate really well, and is now sleeping after a very long and stressful day. We even shopped and got her a couple little things to wear to help keep her warmer since the hair is thin. And she got a new little bed her size.

[KazzyK810]

Scarlet is so fortunate to have found someone as caring as you to look after her!

I just cant wrap my mind around how people toss old dogs out. That means she was never truly a part of a family. That is just so sad.

I'm hoping you get many, many more years with this sweet, deserving girl.

Thank you for all you are doing to make her healthy and happy!

[HaileysBabies]

Thank you so much for saving Scarlet, she deserves a great life and am so happy to hear that youvwill ensure the rest of her life is wonderful. I promoce to pray for Scarlet each day. Hope she fully recovers and gets to live another 8-10 wonderful years with you and your family. 😊

[kiki4848]

Thank you so much everyone. I really appreciate your kind words and your prayers for Scarlet.

[Juliealfies mum]

I'm so glad that Scarlett has found her forever home with you, I'm sorry for the bad news but know that she will get everything she needs in you care.