We have a 14 week choc lab "Timmy". She started loosing her puppy hair about 3 weeks ago. Since then she has been very itchy and the hair is something I never imagined. I brush and vacuum her every day. We feed her Royal Canin lab puppy. I have even taken to putting a splash of olive oil in it. It is a warm summer here in Australia. Would that be why she is loosing her coat so early? Is it normal to be itchy? Some spots she scratched raw but they responded well to Paw Paw ointment. We live on acreage so there might be something around to cause the itch. Although the vet said she is really to young to have a true allergy yet. When she finishes loosing her puppy coat does the hair loss settle down a bit? I was well prepared mentally (I thought) for dog hair but this is insane.
Re: Puppy hair! Every where!!! Welcome to the forum I'm in Canberra. And it's a hot one this summer for sure... We've just been to the lake for a swim. It sounds to me like your puppy is shedding more than I'd expect. I last had a puppy in 1998 (summer) and I just don't remember shedding being an issue at all at that age. Maybe I've blocked out the memory! At any rate, itchiness and scratching to the point of producing raw patches is definitely not normal. It does sound like an allergic response to me, or a response to something in the environment like pollen, or a plant. Do you have any plants/ground covers that your pup routinely gets into? Where is she scratching or chewing the most? With potential skin issues it's always worth going to a specialist if you can....do you live near a major city?
Re: Puppy hair! Every where!!! Thanks Rachael. We mainly have grass. It's just cleared land. None of the usual culprits like wandering dew, Moses in the cradle etc. There are quite a few weeds in it that tend to just get mowed because our area is so large. Paspalum bing one of them. Now raw spots at the moment and the itch is very general. We live on the Sunshine Coast, have a great vet but haven't gotten to her over the holiday period. I just wondered if the hair loss was normal. We keep her inside unless she is supervised outside, she loves to wander but never goes far. I don't want an outside dog, I love that she is so much part of the family already but I'm hoping the hair loss will settle.
Re: Puppy hair! Every where!!! Good to hear that the raw spots have actually cleared up If it is some kind of response to something in the environment then keeping her inside as much as possible will only help. I guess you have ruled out fleas..? It's the time of year for them... More recent puppy owners should have comments on puppy shedding that I'm sure will be helpful Hope you are keeping cool today!
Re: Puppy hair! Every where!!! Welcome to the forum.....We have a 2.5 year old Dexter,our first dog and so far we haven't had any itchy issues but I second what Rachael says about scratching to the point of rawness is not normal and needs to be investigated.Im glad she's seeming better though,to be that itchy must be very uncomfortable foe her. My parents have just changed their dogs food because their dog was very itchy and they've seen a great improvement Best wishes Angela
Re: Puppy hair! Every where!!! Welcome to the forum. I cant realy say what may be causing it, but seeing as you live down under where even the insects are deadly it could be anything. I live in Essex & the only dangerous things round here are the chavs.
Re: Puppy hair! Every where!!! Could be some kind of mite? Has the vet checked for that and done a skin scrape?
Re: Puppy hair! Every where!!! Hi there. Welcome to you and Timmy. Nothing new to add that the others haven't said already, just wanted ted to say Hi. Jac and Lilly.
Re: Puppy hair! Every where!!! [quote author=Leanangle link=topic=9349.msg134266#msg134266 date=1420277275] I live in Essex & the only dangerous things round here are the chavs. [/quote]
Re: Puppy hair! Every where!!! [quote author=Leanangle link=topic=9349.msg134266#msg134266 date=1420277275] I live in Essex & the only dangerous things round here are the chavs. [/quote] You are naughty!
Re: Puppy hair! Every where!!! Thanks for the welcome. I'm pretty sure it's not fleas. We live in a paralysis tick area so I'm vigilant with Avantix. No flea droppings either. Off to the vet again I suppose. Thanks for the advice.
