A couple of days ago I noticed that meeker has a little bald spot in front of her right ear. If you look at her you can only notice it if you are specifically looking for it because her other hair covers it a bit. I havent noticed her scratching up there and I have no Idea what is happening.. People have told me I dont have to go to the vet yet, but I dont know what to do. Does anyone have experience with this?? Thanks Christie and her little balding meeker
Sometimes the hair at the bases of the ears can be a little thin, thats totally normal, but if the hairloss starts getting worse then I would definetly take her to the vet.
Yes, she is right. My Hershey has bald places right at the base of his ear area. If this just looks really odd to you or it spreads, please do ask a vet about it.
How old is Meeker? What color is Meeker? Could he be shedding his puppy coat? My Roscoe just hit 4 months old and his hair is starting to thin around his ears and on his head as well, and although he's a blue chi (which can sometimes suffer hair loss), I'm thinking it's because he's shedding his coat.
Just to let you guys know... It ended up that Meeker had a form of mange called demodectic mange... I included info about it at the end of this post... apparently the mites are present on their skin but can activate after stress. I had alot of complications with meekers spay because the vet offered me no pain meds... My new vet said that the stress of recovery was probably what caused the mange to activate... Great thing is, that it is totally treatable (and cheap) and it isnt contageous to other dogs... She is all better now and the baldness is all gone :) Demodectic Mange
Demodectic mange is caused by Demodex canis, a tiny mite that cannot be seen without the aid of a microscope. This mange strikes puppies from three to 12 months old.
The demodex mite is commonly present in the pores of puppy skin and usually does not cause symptoms, and it not at all certain what causes them to activate. The mites can produce a substance that lowers the dog's resistance to them and make use of an opportunity to multiply.
It's also possible that some lines of purebred dogs carry lowered resistance to the mites, and that stress can trigger an active infestation. In any case, demodectic mange symptoms include thinning of the hair around the eyes and mouth and on the front legs that evolves into patches of hair loss approximately one inch in diameter. This mange may correct itself within three months or may require treatment.
However, demodectic mange can also begin as a localized infestation and develop into a generalized case with multiple hair-loss sites on the dog's head, legs, and body. This is a far more serious condition and requires veterinary attention. The dog's skin is sore, crusty, and oozing; the hair follicles are clogged with mites and debris. Treatment is extended and requires bathing in medicated shampoo and application of an insecticide to kill the mites.
I went thru this with a litter, it can be genetic also. Its was nofun at all. Heather, I don't remember them itching so much on there head and feet, I wouldn't worry unless you start seeing some hair loss. If so get her to the vet. It don't pass unless it dog have contact with eachother. They have to be playing and touching each other to get it. Stress can cause it, even heat cycles.
I wanted to add, it wasn't anything I did for the pups to get the demodectic mange, it passed from there mom to the pups. The mom was fine and never showed signs,but they can pass it along. I no longer have her and never had a problem again.