Black Labrador Retriever losing hair around right eye - part I

Received this e-mail from Kathy (USA), who wrote about her black Labrador Retriever, Wrigley. Poor Wrigley was having a problem with hair loss around his right eye.

This is part one of a two part e-mail.

Reader E-mail - Kathy Writes:

Fay,

I have a one year old male black lab, Wrigley, who, in the last four days has lost the hair around his right eye. It is a very fine ring, with no seepage coming from his eye. He doesn't appear to be bothered by it, but it does look a bit weird.

We do keep in him in his kennel outside during the day while we are at work, and we do live in the desert. This spring has been exceptionally hard on allergies on my daughter and myself, could it be that? His breeder also suggested mites. Is this a trip to the vet or is there some remedy I can do at home?

Thanks,
Kathy

All About Labrador Answer:

Hello Kathy,

Thank you for writing and visiting All About Labradors.

In order for me to try to be of some assistance to Wrigley, I will need you to answer some questions for me.

Has this same problem occurred any time before, and if so, how was it treated the first time?

When you say he is not bothered by it, does that mean there is no itching?

The hair just seems to be falling out?

Does he have any itching anywhere, such as his paws?

Is the hairless area raw and inflamed?

Is the area hairless area dry and/or crusty?

What do you feed him?

What other pets do you have?

What do you use to bath him with?

Any other medical problems with him, now or in the past?

Weird question: do you or any others in your home itch?

Continue Reading...

The kennel has an enclosed area or is totally open?

Sorry for all the questions, as there are so many different causes of hair loss ( allergies and mange to name a few) it may help me narrow down some possible problems.

One last thing Kathy, with all the email questions I receive, I always ask a favor of the person writing. If you have any photos of your Labrador Retriever, that you could email me, I would love to post them to All About Labradors and/or Labrador Retriever Pictures blog. Please note, that a photo is NEVER required to receive an answer, just appreciated.

Please get back to me at your earliest convenience with the answers to these questions. It might make it easier for you to copy and paste the questions in your e-mail, and then just write the answers next to the questions.

Talk to you soon,

Fay

Reader's E-mail - Kathy's Response:

I will try to answer as many as possible:

Wrigley eats Purina Pro Plan, chicken and rice dry with some added pedigree wet. Haven't given him any wet in about a week, ran out...don't want to risk buying more.

The breeder bathes him with her special shampoo, haven't done it since Nov. Too cold here.

His foot has been itching between his pads, left front only. Opposite his side with the eye.

We never see him itching his eye on the floor, with his leg or any other object.

There is nothing seeping out, no crustyness, other than sleep in the eye.

His kennel is outside, inclosed with chain link, but directly under blooming mulberry trees, the kind with little wormy things.

Myself and my daughter are having a terrible time with allergies, just went to the doctor yesterday for them.

No others are itching or sneezing.

Breeder has suggested mites or allergies. He does play and eat normally and his stools are normal.

I have attached a pic of him, in all his glory. He's a little sleepy and keeps wincing at the flash. His eye is not swollen. Zoom in on the pic and you might get a better view.

Thanks for taking so much time to help me out.

Have a great day!
Kathy

To read part two of this e-mail, click: Black Labrador Retriever losing hair around right eye - part II

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