Black Labrador Retriever Mix losing hair in various places - part I

Subject: 3 year old black Lab/Fiest mix losing hair in various places - part I.

From: Dawn (USA)

Labrador Retriever Name: Girly

Reader's E-mail - Dawn Writes:

Hello,

I have a 3 year old black lab/fiest mix. Lately she has been losing hair in various places. She has lost the hair on her chest and under her "armpits" on the front legs. She did lose the hair above the base of her tail but it has grown back. Her fur doesn't seem to have the luster it did before she started losing her hair. She does lick the area above her tail quite a bit but doesn't really scratch at the spots. She doesn't seem to have lost her appetite or playfullness. She hasn't lost any weight just hair.

Both Girly and I hope you can help us!

Thank you,
Dawn

All About Labradors Blog Answer:

Hello Dawn,

Thank you for writing and visiting he All About Labradors blog. Sorry to hear about Girly's problems.

I need some further information from you in order to try to be of assistance to both of you. Please answer the questions below.

Continue Reading...

How long has this problem been going on?

Has it ever occurred before?

You stated "She does lick the area above her tail quite a bit but doesn't really scratch at the spots." - She is not itching at any of the spots you mentioned?

Are the areas completely hairless, chewed off or broken off and brittle?

Is the hairless area dry and/or crusty?

Is the hairless area raw and/or inflamed?

Did Girly ever have problems with fleas, now or in past?

Any shapes to the hairless areas (circular, oval, etc)?

Any skin color change to hairless areas?

Any itching to your Labrador Retrievers paws?

What do you feed Girly (be specific - brand, flavor, treats, table scrapes, etc)?

What do you bath Girly with?

Is Girly left alone for a long periods of time?

Is the rest of the coat dry or oily?

Does her coat smell?

Anything else you can tell me that you think may be important.

Sorry for all the questions, but there are some many different reasons for hair loss with our Labrador Retrievers.

One last thing Dawn, 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 the Labrador Retriever Pictures blog. You DO NOT have to send a photo to receive an answer to your question.

Please get back to me at your earliest convenience with the answers to these questions.

Talk to you soon,
Fay

To read part two of this e-mail visit: Black Labrador Retriever Mix losing hair in various places - part II

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