My 9yr old yellow lab has recently begun to lose patches of hair. He started itching about a month ago but didn't show any other signs. It just looked like a little dry skin. He doesn't have fleas at all. Now we are starting to notice the missing hair, some on a hind leg, a little around his collar area and now a bit on his chest. He seems to have a real doggie odor that he didn't have before. Does anyone have a clue?
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Obviously I'd say take him to your vet. Perhaps he's allergic to something in the house, a new fabric detergent used on his bedding? It could be mange, that causes hair to fall out and dogs with it smell pretty bad. You can search the web and find many home remedies to try for that. Also, I suggest using tea tree shampoo, I swear it will sooth any skin condition human and animal. You can get the Generic Paul Mitchel Tea Tree Oil Shampoo at Sally's beauty supply. They accept public customers, not just cosmetologists. It's about 5 bucks for the smaller bottle, which is about the size of a Suave shampoo bottle.
It has peppermint in it along with tea tree oil, it's very cleansing and tingles a little from the peppermint, but in a nice way and my cat never seemed bothered by it. It is a little drying though b/c it strips oil off so well, you might want to use a doggie conditioner afterwards, or a good human one.
Make sure to keep it out of the animal's eyes though, since the peppermint really tingles when it gets in there.
Hope that helps!
If the tea tree oil doesn't work, try Grandpa Otts Pine Tar Soap. I cured a 9 year old dog (a stray) that had mange and inflamed skin by bathing her with this once a day until it cleared up, then for several days after to be sure.
Go to a vet first to rule out anything wrong. I agree it could be an allergy or something more serious. The dog is miserable so you need to act fast.
Try wheat germ oil from the health food store or maybe even cod liver oil. Our vet says as they get older they don't produce or absorb the vitamins and other nutrients the same way they once did so some supplements may help.
I too have a dog with the same problem. We tried everything under the sun. We finally took her to the vet and she is allergic to flea larva, even tho the vet saw no fleas. She was put on a Rx and is now cleared and not scratching. The Rx was only $30. Karen Inverary,Ont.
I found this recipe on this sight and it worked like a miracle! Use equal parts of regular Listerine, baby oil and warm water. Put in a spray bottle and spray on your pet working it in. It does not make your pet oily and it smells good.
I found this "MIRACLE" remedy on this sight and it worked better than any medication my vet gave me. My cocker had dry itchy, flaky skin, he scratched constantly and was losing patches of hair. He was miserable. I spent hundreds of dollars at the vet trying to help with this problem and was at my wits end because nothing worked. With one use I could see an immediate improvement and he stopped scratching.
Use equal parts of regular Listerine, baby oil and warm water. Put in a spray bottle and spray your dog, massage in a little. It doesn't make the hair oily and it smells wonderful! I hope it works for your dog!
Donna
Olympia, WA
It is not expensive to have the vet just look at your dog, do a smear under the microscope to make sure there aren't mange mites embedded in his skin, and get yourself a diagnosis. That's where you start, by getting a diagnosis.
My dog got the same symptoms and he had sarcoptic mange. I was shocked since my dog is NEVER around other dogs. The vet told me that the mites can be airborne and YOU can get it too!
Our 11 year old black lab mix has severe allergies to something & we've never been able to find out what it is other than allergic to the serum fleas inject when they bite. This year has been the absolute worst--we take very good care of his allergies & he doesn't have fleas! Years ago I read an article in our local newspaper about washing your dogs feet in regular Dial soap--it stops the itch between the toe pads & the dog will stop chewing. It works, I know, because we used it on another dog. Well, after several steroid/vitamin/medication treatments this year nothing seemed to help him, he was worse than ever, nearly bald all over & you could tell he was just absolutely miserable! Then I remembered the Dial soap treatment, ran down & got a bar, & now he has stopped digging & scratching & his hair is starting to come back in. I've been washing him twice a week for 2 weeks now & could tell the difference in his personality after the 1st wash. Make sure & rinse well. I dried off what fur he had left with a towel but left the rest to air dry. This really works!
My neighbor's dog was losing his hair was was balded totally on his back. I started to care for him. We put lotion, cocoa butter from the Dollar Tree store on it twice a day. Then I gave him some veggie oil in his food. For a bath I use just a cheap conditioner, (Dollar Tree) no shampoo, it is drying to their skin. If you would have fleas use Dawn dish soap to wash them then follow with conditioner. He smelt great and now he is ready for winter with all his fur back! He is sooo handsome also. Jake is about 12 years old. I think the breath smelling bad could be his chemicals in his body from his age. Just like us humans. Your vet could do a blood work up and check for some changes. Thanks for loving your pooch soo much. Hope my tips can help you out.
Thank you one and all for all the suggestions and remedies. I haven't been able to read this site for a few days due to serious family illness. I will follow through with the vet and then I know there are several other possibilities if he is unable to determine a cause. Again, I appreciate all of your responses. Our pets are so precious aren't they?
Blessings, Dorothy
Thank you one and all for the suggestions and remedies. I have not been able to read this site for a few days due to a serious family illness. I will follow through with the vet as soon as possible. If he is unable to determine the cause, I know there are other possibilities to try. Someone also told me to try yeast but I don't know whether they meant baker's yeast or brewers yeast. Again, thank you all for responding. Our pets are so precious aren't they?
Blessings,
Dorothy
My black lab is horrible with losing hair and itching like crazy. No sign of fleas but her skin is flaking. We've taken her to the vet multiple times over it, nothing helps. At first we thought it was the vet but we switched and nothing was helping Riley. So I've been all over the web and keep seeing the same thing about using brewers yeast with garlic. My dogs eats them like treats, they taste good and her coat's instantly improving. it works
Best of luck to any one who takes my suggestion.
Samantha :]
www.dinovite.com
I haven't tried the listerine remedy yet but I will. I'll let you all know.
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