5 month old - Very Thin Coat?? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

awuertz · 07-07-2005, 09:59 AM

I'm very happy I found your message board. I have a Yorkie that I just got 2 days ago. She's 5 months old and about 4 pounds. This is my first Yorkie.

She's very playful, sleeps and eats well. However, her coat concerns me. It is extremely thin. You can see her skin on her back, and the fur isn't very long at all. She looks pretty scraggly. She has almost no fur on her chest or belly at all. She shows no signs of a rash on her skin - but looks nothing like the pictures I see of Yorkies at this age.

The breeder told me this was normal. She had just lost her puppy fur and her adult coat was slow to come in. I've taken her to the vet, who admitted that he didn't know much about Yorkie's, but to give it some time.

Does anyone know if this is normal? Any advice would be appreciated.

brosie1823 · 07-07-2005, 10:06 AM

First, welcome to YT. This is a great place to learn. Next, I would consider getting another vet for your baby. Yorkies are different than a lot of other breeds and having someone who specializes in small breeds is best for our babies. They have different problems and things to watch for than say a lab.

Next, I'm not sure about your baby's hair. Linus is 5 months too, and his hair is so thick that I don't know what to do with it. And because Yorkie's don't shed, his puppy coat wouldn't have just "fallen off". What was the breeder that you got your baby from like? As far as my limited knowledge goes, I would get a second opinion from a small breed vet.

I hope you and your new baby have a wonderful time together. They truly are a blessing.

luzangela428 · 07-07-2005, 10:12 AM

Maybe a picture would help better...Maximus is 5 months and if you click the link at the bottom of my post "Maximus' Album"..you can see some pictures of him..his coat look like it is thinning ot but it is just growing in very light...maybe this is the case? You will get lots of good advice, probably more then I can help with..lol..and WELCOME!!!

awuertz · 07-07-2005, 10:13 AM

we have an appointment with our regular vet tomorrow - I'm just a little anxious. Linus is adorable!

The breeder seemed "ok". She showed me mom and dad, and they looked healthy and both had a nice full coat. We drove 5 hours to get her, and she just looked so scraggly - there was no way I could leave her there.

Here's a picture. We think she'll be named Lexi.

chachi · 07-07-2005, 10:15 AM

If you are worried I would get a second opinion. My dogs are 6 and 5 months and never lost any hair.

luzangela428 · 07-07-2005, 10:16 AM

She is adorable...and her coat doesn't look bad at all...take her to your normal vet but I am sure everything is okay..get some good hair care products and she will be ready for topknots in no time..lol

awuertz · 07-07-2005, 10:24 AM

Thank you!! Maybe I'm just an anxious new mom and can't wait till tomorrow's appointment with our regular vet.

This is a great forum!! Fast response and very nice people. Thank you again.

wendybee · 07-07-2005, 11:23 AM

hi and welcome

my rosie had that and was given a injection and some antibiotocs the vet did a skin scrap and said it was a mite that she was born with, she also played alot and still ate well, now the mite has gone her fur is growing back lovely and thick (and she needs that in the uk).
so if i was you id ask your vet for a skin scrap then if it isnt that it can be ruled out. keep us informed. by the way she is a cutie

wendy and rosie

Tuck'smom · 07-07-2005, 12:36 PM

My last Yorkie had a skin problem from the time she was very young and even though I worked for a vet who had bred Yorkies, he had never seen this type ailment before. I could not afford to have biopsies done to send to the Univ. of Florida Vet school to get to the root of the problem but in later years, he had someone else's who also had this problem and U of F said it was some type of genetic disorder. Her skin remained flaky and smelly throughout her life, spaying helped a tiny bit but I never did love her any less because of it... Hope you get some answers, I'm curious to hear about it myself. Anyone else familiar with anything like this?
Dana

brosie1823 · 07-07-2005, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awuertz

we have an appointment with our regular vet tomorrow - I'm just a little anxious. Linus is adorable!

The breeder seemed "ok". She showed me mom and dad, and they looked healthy and both had a nice full coat. We drove 5 hours to get her, and she just looked so scraggly - there was no way I could leave her there.

Here's a picture. We think she'll be named Lexi.

Thank you so much! I love the name Lexi, I think the name suits her too. I agree with everyone to have the vet check out the thing about a possible skin disease. It could be that she was sick once and her hair is just now growing back! When you get back from the vet let us know how everything went!

Bux's Momma · 07-07-2005, 06:48 PM

A groomer tried to tell me once that they will lose their baby hair, but THEN my breeder told me tht yorkies don't lose their hair. Bux has never lost any hair, and his hair is very thick, I would take him to the vet...good luck and welcome to YT

sophiedog · 07-08-2005, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awuertz

we have an appointment with our regular vet tomorrow - I'm just a little anxious. Linus is adorable!

The breeder seemed "ok". She showed me mom and dad, and they looked healthy and both had a nice full coat. We drove 5 hours to get her, and she just looked so scraggly - there was no way I could leave her there.

Here's a picture. We think she'll be named Lexi.

She's is just too, too cute! I wouldn't worry about her hair until she's grown unless you notice other problems. I think dogs are like us, some have thicker hair and some thinner, but that face is to die for!

Stitches29 · 07-08-2005, 05:59 AM

Maggie is 4 and 1/2 months old, and her coat isn't much thicker than your baby. Her adult coat is coming in on her back now. First it started on her head, which is now almost all silver. On her back you can see the dark silver coming in. Her chest if fairly thin too. She has been to the groomer once to get a trim up job.

sillyjacki · 07-08-2005, 07:58 AM

What a sweet face! I hope she brings you lots of love and happiness!

whispersmom2 · 07-08-2005, 08:18 AM

The only times I have seen a coat like that were in cases of alopecia and/or Red mange. If the vet says it is something she got from her mom, it can be treated. Alopecia is genetic and rarely can the hair be re-grown. A blue baby I placed for my friend was a blue born Yorkie and her blue body hair was sparse to non-existant, kept breaking at about 1/2 inch long and her tan fringe was normal.. She was fairly low maintainence but needed sun screen on for even a few minutes exposure to the sun..
Please let us know what your vet says.

07-07-2005, 09:59 AM	#1
awuertz YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4	5 month old - Very Thin Coat?? I'm very happy I found your message board. I have a Yorkie that I just got 2 days ago. She's 5 months old and about 4 pounds. This is my first Yorkie. She's very playful, sleeps and eats well. However, her coat concerns me. It is extremely thin. You can see her skin on her back, and the fur isn't very long at all. She looks pretty scraggly. She has almost no fur on her chest or belly at all. She shows no signs of a rash on her skin - but looks nothing like the pictures I see of Yorkies at this age. The breeder told me this was normal. She had just lost her puppy fur and her adult coat was slow to come in. I've taken her to the vet, who admitted that he didn't know much about Yorkie's, but to give it some time. Does anyone know if this is normal? Any advice would be appreciated.

07-07-2005, 10:06 AM	#2
brosie1823 Linus - Master & Commander Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 917	First, welcome to YT. This is a great place to learn. Next, I would consider getting another vet for your baby. Yorkies are different than a lot of other breeds and having someone who specializes in small breeds is best for our babies. They have different problems and things to watch for than say a lab. Next, I'm not sure about your baby's hair. Linus is 5 months too, and his hair is so thick that I don't know what to do with it. And because Yorkie's don't shed, his puppy coat wouldn't have just "fallen off". What was the breeder that you got your baby from like? As far as my limited knowledge goes, I would get a second opinion from a small breed vet. I hope you and your new baby have a wonderful time together. They truly are a blessing. __________________ Linus on Dogsterhttp://www.dogster.com/?150058 Lucy on Dogster http://www.dogster.com/?150061 Check out our bows! www.littledogbows.com

07-07-2005, 10:12 AM	#3
luzangela428 Maximus "Lily's Love Slave" Join Date: May 2005 Location: san ramon, ca Posts: 2,368	Maybe a picture would help better...Maximus is 5 months and if you click the link at the bottom of my post "Maximus' Album"..you can see some pictures of him..his coat look like it is thinning ot but it is just growing in very light...maybe this is the case? You will get lots of good advice, probably more then I can help with..lol..and WELCOME!!! __________________ http://www.dogster.com/?148186 Maximus' Album: http://www.yorkietalk.com/gallery/sh...=1&ppuser=2303 Maximus Woves Lily

07-07-2005, 10:13 AM	#4
awuertz YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4	we have an appointment with our regular vet tomorrow - I'm just a little anxious. Linus is adorable! The breeder seemed "ok". She showed me mom and dad, and they looked healthy and both had a nice full coat. We drove 5 hours to get her, and she just looked so scraggly - there was no way I could leave her there. Here's a picture. We think she'll be named Lexi. Attached Thumbnails

07-07-2005, 10:15 AM	#5
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	If you are worried I would get a second opinion. My dogs are 6 and 5 months and never lost any hair. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

07-07-2005, 10:16 AM	#6
luzangela428 Maximus "Lily's Love Slave" Join Date: May 2005 Location: san ramon, ca Posts: 2,368	She is adorable...and her coat doesn't look bad at all...take her to your normal vet but I am sure everything is okay..get some good hair care products and she will be ready for topknots in no time..lol __________________ http://www.dogster.com/?148186 Maximus' Album: http://www.yorkietalk.com/gallery/sh...=1&ppuser=2303 Maximus Woves Lily

07-07-2005, 10:24 AM	#7
awuertz YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4	Thank you!! Maybe I'm just an anxious new mom and can't wait till tomorrow's appointment with our regular vet. This is a great forum!! Fast response and very nice people. Thank you again.

07-07-2005, 11:23 AM	#8
wendybee BANNED! Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 966	hi and welcome my rosie had that and was given a injection and some antibiotocs the vet did a skin scrap and said it was a mite that she was born with, she also played alot and still ate well, now the mite has gone her fur is growing back lovely and thick (and she needs that in the uk). so if i was you id ask your vet for a skin scrap then if it isnt that it can be ruled out. keep us informed. by the way she is a cutie wendy and rosie

07-07-2005, 12:36 PM	#9
Tuck'smom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: DeBary, FL Posts: 140	My last Yorkie had a skin problem from the time she was very young and even though I worked for a vet who had bred Yorkies, he had never seen this type ailment before. I could not afford to have biopsies done to send to the Univ. of Florida Vet school to get to the root of the problem but in later years, he had someone else's who also had this problem and U of F said it was some type of genetic disorder. Her skin remained flaky and smelly throughout her life, spaying helped a tiny bit but I never did love her any less because of it... Hope you get some answers, I'm curious to hear about it myself. Anyone else familiar with anything like this? Dana

07-07-2005, 06:48 PM	#11
Bux's Momma Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Irving, tx Posts: 61	A groomer tried to tell me once that they will lose their baby hair, but THEN my breeder told me tht yorkies don't lose their hair. Bux has never lost any hair, and his hair is very thick, I would take him to the vet...good luck and welcome to YT

07-08-2005, 05:59 AM	#13
Stitches29 My Little Magwad Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 1,739	Maggie is 4 and 1/2 months old, and her coat isn't much thicker than your baby. Her adult coat is coming in on her back now. First it started on her head, which is now almost all silver. On her back you can see the dark silver coming in. Her chest if fairly thin too. She has been to the groomer once to get a trim up job. __________________ "My Furkids" Maggie, Molly and Meme...

07-08-2005, 07:58 AM	#14
sillyjacki Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 544	What a sweet face! I hope she brings you lots of love and happiness! __________________ Jacki & Roxy Dogster My mom's company makes dog products!

07-08-2005, 08:18 AM	#15
whispersmom2 Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MD Posts: 2,985	The only times I have seen a coat like that were in cases of alopecia and/or Red mange. If the vet says it is something she got from her mom, it can be treated. Alopecia is genetic and rarely can the hair be re-grown. A blue baby I placed for my friend was a blue born Yorkie and her blue body hair was sparse to non-existant, kept breaking at about 1/2 inch long and her tan fringe was normal.. She was fairly low maintainence but needed sun screen on for even a few minutes exposure to the sun.. Please let us know what your vet says.