Improving Quality
 

I just recently bought a little girl from a breeder. I have noticed a few things over the last week since I have had her. One her hair is not in that great of shape, it seems very dry and thin and also she sheds a lot when you pet her or brush her. Two she has these little sores on her skin that she keeps itching. They are red and scabbing but not too bad just annoying to her I think. I took her to the vet and he thinks she is fine but in the mean time to improve her appearance can anyone suggest any thing for me? I am going to switch her to the CC products for grooming which is what I have my little boy on and I am also switching her food from Purina which the breeder was feeding her to Chicken Soup for Dogs which is what I feed my little boy. I also think I am going to give her a good puppy cut to try and save her hair but other than those suggestions should I be doing anything else? Oh I am also giving her the missing link on her food at night to try and help with improving her coat. Thanks!!

How old is your baby and did she come from a stressfull situation? Also, CONGRATULATIONS!!! ;)

Well she is just about to turn 8 months old and I am unaware of her previous living situation. The deal on her was she was kept by the breeder to be a show dog and to be breed but she stopped growing at barely 3 pounds so the breeder wanted to sell her since she was too small. The breeder has LOTS of dogs and breeds Yorkies, Poms, and Chinese Crests so I am not sure if her previous life was pretty much in a crate all the time or what. She is such a sweetie but is very timid, very attached to me and really does not even act like a puppy at all. She barely knows how to play and would just rather sit on my lap and sleep all day. This is so strange to me since I have a super hyper boy who just wants to play all day. Does this sound strange to you too?

Please do not get me wrong - I LOVE HER to death but she just worries me because she is just so sluggish and seems to be in poorer quality than my little boy! Thanks!!!

Something isn't quite right wiht her i think. It could be the food but I would find another Vet, one who is familiar with Yorkies or toy dogs anywa. She is very small at 8 months which is often a little riskier with health problems.
I would have a blood panel including BA testing and thyroid test wouldn't hurt but maybe hold off on that for a bit and try changing the food first and get a better shampoo for her.
For food I don't think Chicken Soup dog food is that great given her skin condition. Actually you can talk to the Vet Clinic as there are Vet formulas specifically for skin.
From the description of her skin, she could have a puppy acne type of thing. You can get a good shampoo put out by Vets called Sebolux that is an antifungal antibacteria shampoo or ask them what they would recommend.
It really sounds to me more like you rescued this poor girl rather than just buying a pet.

Please forgive me for saying this but, It sounds like she came from a puppymill. She probably doesn't know how to play if she was kept in a crate. I commend you for taking her and giving her a good home. My yorkies favorite place is my lap! She probably feels very safe there..I feel with love, time and patience you will end up with a very lovable little girl..Does she eat good? Maybe you could try Nutrical. There are alot of good people on this site that would be more than willing to help you..I would talk to your vet about your concerns...If he doesn't seem to be helping you out I would try another vet,..

Good Luck, I hope all goes well for you and your little furbundle!

I think I would be a little cautious, and while not trying to be overreactive have the vet do some blood work. Let him know that you want to know if there maybe any underlying problems that were not brought to your attention when you purchased her.
In your case it doesn't sound like she came to you in a healthy condition. It could have all been caused by her previous living enviroment. Maybe she is a sensitive girl and her previous living enviroment was to stressful for her.
You mentioned that she is 8 months old, cannot remember if you said she was bred by the breeder or if the breeder purchased her, again it could be stress by all the readjustments. I would also want to make sure that she for sure does not have something she could pass on to my other pets.
It could also be that she an allergy maybe to the food she had been on. Just remember when switching foods add the new food to the old food slowly, increasing it as you go. So as to not end up with diarrhea. That would not be good.

Good luck and maybe she is just a little unsure of her new surroundings and wondering if she gets to stay.

Cali's coat and general health improved once I put her on Missing link. It takes about 6-8 weeks to see a difference. Like others mentioned I would have a blood panlel run on her to make sure she is not ill. Good luck

I agree even though I really do think I got her from a reliable breeder ...... I do think I have rescued her. After reading this I do think I will have another Vet take a look and maybe have some blood work done - thanks so much for all the helpful advice!!:thumbup:

I really do not think she came from a puppy mill but more like a busy busy home with just not a ton of time and love to give to each baby, ya know. She does eat wonderfully - actually better than my baby boy Murphy who is 4pounds. She gives him a run for his money with his food - ha, ha!! I am going to take the advice though and get some blood work done - thanks for all your help!!

:p Caren this is what is so incredible about YT. People always here when you need them!

Good Luck

I agree - thank you!! :)

She sounds like a sweetheart! The reason I was curious about her previous situation .... my friend works with United Yorkie Rescue and there was a little rescue that came from an extremely stressful situation, so much so that her hair had fallen out. It has been a year or more and she recently began to have little patches on her skin like the ones you described. She is just now beginning to grow her coat!! :) We are all so excited to watch this! The little bit of hair that she had was the thinnest hair I have ever seen on a dog. The little patches kinda sluff off and she is growing patches of new hair all over. From what we know about her situation, she was not deprived of good, wholesome food ... her's was simply an unhappy home which ultimately ended in an ugly divorce and noone cared enough about her to keep her. She is now in a wonderful, happy home and is living every Yorkie's dream!! :p It will probably take quite a while for your little one to feel comfortable .... sounds like she is happy on your lap for now! :) Our vet says there is no better medicine for a Yorkie than Mama's lap! ;) Please keep us updated on your little one's progress!

Caren,
I can say no way she came from a puppymill. Tammy is very well known breeder. However, I do agree that prob not alot of time is spent with one on one contact with all the dogs. I would definately make the vet run alot of test to be safe that she is not sick. 3lbs is very small and leaving all her dog family can be stressful for any dog. I'm sure someone can recommend product for her coat that will help out also!
I need some of that cowboy magic for Chance's coat...its alittle on the thin side.

Her coat will definately improve as the weeks go by since you are changing her food and have started her on Missing Link! You will have to post pics of her after she gets a haircut! She is so adorable and I always love seeing pics of that cute little fac! :D

Getting her off of Purina and on to a quality food will be very helpful. I think Chicken Soup is a great food even though I feed Nutro Natural Ultra. The Missing Link is also very good for her coat.

Like others have said, a coat problem can simply be a diet problem, but it also can be a health related endoctrine hormonal disorder, like thyroid, addisons, cushings, etc. or with the sores it could be a skin disorder of some type. I think a complete blood work up and/or skin scraping would probably be a good idea.

Oh yes she is such a sweet heart!!!

That is such great news about your friends rescue Yorkie - how exciting. After using the CC products on her hair 3 times now I can already see a difference in shine. Plus I am giving her a great conditioner too so hopefully that will help with the dryness.

I agree though for now I will just enjoy her sitting on my lap since it makes hubby SOOOOOO jealous - ha, ha! Thanks again!

Oh I agree - no puppy mill but definitely some neglect emotionally. But also maybe just what you said - she could just be stressed from leaving her other fur family and also the stress from being thrown in to this family with hyper Murphy. I am sure she will come along but in the mean time I will just give her plenty of love and try to get the coat and sores cleared up on her skin.

Awhhhhh thanks Rebecca - your too sweet! :D :D

:p My husband delights in telling that Toto has become his "replacement"!! Truth is, it would be impossible to know which of us loves her more!

When we brought Toto to Colorado, the climate here is so dry that her coat got so dry we decided to cut her short for the first time. Also, our vet told us to put a little Flaxseed Oil in her food 2-3 times a week. We just keep the 1000 mg softgel capsules on hand ... pierce it and squeeze it on her food. It has certainly helped. Also, although I have tried almost every single shampoo & conditioner that I hear about, I always go back to the ones that the breeder recommended when we bought her, Coat Handlers. The Clarifying Shampoo keeps her light color hair bright and the black hair shiny.

If your baby's problem is indeed emotional, you will be in for a real treat as you watch her develop her own little personality and eventually become outgoing and happy. It's heartbreaking in the beginning when they are so shy and unsure ... just let her progress at her own pace! Before you know it, she will venture out of your lap and begin to explore her new home and fit right in. Don't worry if it hurts your feelings .... she will always come back to Mom's lap!!! ;)

BTW, what's her name? Please let us know how she's coming along! :)

I have not heard of the flaxseed oil - maybe I can try that too - thanks for that!

Hubby seems to think her problems are more emotional than anything and I guess I agree since she comes out of her shell more and more each day. I was just worried for her at first. It is so different than Murphy becasue we got him as a puppy so we had him from the start and I know what he has been through, with her it is a mystery.

Her name is Mia and her is a picture of her so you can see her! Thanks so much again!

Mia is on the left in the 1st picture and Mia is towards the top in the second picture. The other little one is my baby boy Murphy!

The second picture is PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!! :p

Caren, for some reason, Hobbs skin has been a little dry lately. I have started putting a little vegetable or olive oil on their food in the mornings...about 3/4 tsp. I can definately see a difference and it has only been a week!!! My parents and grandparents both do this with their yorkies in addition to the Missing Link...their vet recommended it. Maybe you could try that before you go out and "buy" something else.

Thats not a bad idea either - man what would i do without my Yorkie friends??? :rolleyes: I bet the vegetable oil would help plump up my little Mia too - she is sooooo bone thin - you can feel every bone in her body so I am trying to plump her up just a bit. :D :D

Oh, it would definately help plump her up some! :p Hobbs needed some plumping up himself and I can already tell he is getting some meat on his little bones! :D

When I got my issabella her puppy was 6 weeks old so she did not raise her she bonded to me immediately but was so afraid of men I feed her 5 times a day daily walks to releive stress she loves the park its been 4 months she still afraid of men but a little better every day missing link has made her coat glisten if Im not in sight or theres a lot of men the room she does the kennel dog paste petzlife for her teeth has cleaned her teeth 90 percent she is missing 1 canine she is only 2 so I wonder what her life was like. She improves every day I think her walk is the best help my hubby is very patient I would not give her away for 10.000 dollars she is my sweet girl. Your girls problem might be all stress I had blood work done too because she would have loose stool and throw up bile all stress

Good luck with your baby girl she look's a real cutie pie.

your dogs are so precious! I love the second picture where they're curled up together spooning! My yorkie and chihuahua do that, too. :)

Carin!!
Little Mia is gorgeous!!! She's such a dainty looking little girl! And Murphy is a sweetheart .... such a handsome little man! :) The picture of them napping together is just priceless. If I were you, I would have Mia checked inside out and if there are no physical problems, I would just concentrate of her little emotions. She looks awfully healthy .... and what curious little eyes she has! Can't wait to hear updates on her ... I'll bet she pops out of that shy little shell in no time at all! ;)