1 year old yorkie losing or pulling out her hair?

[arv99t]

I am wondering if anyone can offer any advice. I have a one year old female yorkie. It appears around the back 1/4 of her body she is either losing her hair or pulling it out. We haven't noticed any hair anywhere but on her back about 3/4 back to her bottom she is missing hair. It isn't completly bald but looks as if someone took clippers and cut her hair about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. The rest of her hair is long. I honestly think as much hair as she is missing we should be able to notice it laying around or missing very easily but no just noticed she had a really odd feeling patch on her back and then noticed the hair the way it is. Any suggestions or ideas? It is winter time here and very cold right now, but don't know that it has anything to do with this. I appreciate any help you may be able to offer.

[Ravi]

My yorkie had a similar problem not to long ago. It really was upsetting to see her hair done and on the top of her head the problem was really noticeable. When I took her to the vet and after a through examination she declared that my dog had eczema. She gave me some pills for her to take and after awhile her hair came back.

[ladyjane]

Can you take some pictures of it?

[arv99t]

Picture coming very soon. Im working on it now. It seriously looks as if we shaved her or something but we didn't

[ladyjane]

With a pic someone might have an idea of what it is. I would still, if I were you, go to the vet to have it checked out.

[arv99t]

http://i50.tinypic.com/k6trb.jpg This is a link to the pic

Also we no longer live in Floirda I need to change my profile. We are now in Indiana and like I said it has been very cold and the heat is running alot. I'm worried about possible dry skin but not sure what to try to do if that is the cause of this.

[arv99t]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

With a pic someone might have an idea of what it is. I would still, if I were you, go to the vet to have it checked out.

We plan to get her to the vet, but they aren't open today. There is also a lot of ice on the ground here and the closest small animal vet is about 30 min away from us with good road conditions. Thanks for everyone trying to help. I just found it odd that it isn't bald or anything like that just looks like she had been shaved. Almost as if new hair had came in and the other fell out. I'm pretty clueless on this one

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by arv99t

http://i50.tinypic.com/k6trb.jpg This is a link to the pic

Also we no longer live in Floirda I need to change my profile. We are now in Indiana and like I said it has been very cold and the heat is running alot. I'm worried about possible dry skin but not sure what to try to do if that is the cause of this.

Has she been wearing coats and/or sweaters that could have broken the hair?

Heck, it is cold in FL right now. I am freezing in Houston as well. Crazy weather.

[arv99t]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Has she been wearing coats and/or sweaters that could have broken the hair?

Heck, it is cold in FL right now. I am freezing in Houston as well. Crazy weather.

No she hasn't been wearing coats or sweaters. I know its cold in Florida right now, but I woud much rather have their weather than ours. It was 2 below this morning with a wind chill of 13 below. She seems to be acting fine. I have touched and rubbed it she doesn't act like it hurts or anything I am just a little puzzled. I guess at least this came up when its time for her shots again so I can do two appointments at once. Her hair does seem to be very dry right now not silky like usual. I have been reading through the grooming forum trying to see what everyone is using for this. I don't know if their hair can get dry enough it will just break or not. I would assume if it was just breaking or something that it would be different lenghts. If I didn't know better I would think someone broke into my house and shaved part of her hair off because thats what it looks and feels like.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by arv99t

No she hasn't been wearing coats or sweaters. I know its cold in Florida right now, but I woud much rather have their weather than ours. It was 2 below this morning with a wind chill of 13 below. She seems to be acting fine. I have touched and rubbed it she doesn't act like it hurts or anything I am just a little puzzled. I guess at least this came up when its time for her shots again so I can do two appointments at once. Her hair does seem to be very dry right now not silky like usual. I have been reading through the grooming forum trying to see what everyone is using for this. I don't know if their hair can get dry enough it will just break or not. I would assume if it was just breaking or something that it would be different lenghts. If I didn't know better I would think someone broke into my house and shaved part of her hair off because thats what it looks and feels like.

Yikes. I used to live up north. At least down here we all know this is temporary.

I would never move back up there.

Hypothyroidism can cause hair changes. That is easily found out with a simple blood test...and also cheaply and easily treated.
Might not be that, but that is one of the first things that come to my mind with hair changes that do not involve skin problems.

Maybe someone else will see this and have some ideas. At any rate, please let us know when you do find out!

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Yikes. I used to live up north. At least down here we all know this is temporary.

I would never move back up there.

Hypothyroidism can cause hair changes. That is easily found out with a simple blood test...and also cheaply and easily treated.
Might not be that, but that is one of the first things that come to my mind with hair changes that do not involve skin problems.

Maybe someone else will see this and have some ideas. At any rate, please let us know when you do find out!

this is either flea allergy reaction which affects back half of the dog BUT since you are in winter that would not be the case so Hypothyroid is my guess as hey get hairloss on lumbar region and tail usually but my dd had he hairloss on her neck and it runs in this breed. Your dog is pretty young but dd was diagnosed with it at 3 so make sure to get the 6 panel thyroid done and if your vet will i would have it sent to Hemopet/Hemolife, HEMOPET a full animal blood bank, Diagnostic Laboratory, Adoption and Consultation dr jean dodds which is who we see or michigan state and if not to antech as jean dodds can review as a back up if you need. She is very nice and helpful.

If it is not hypothyroid i would save yourself a ton of money and take your dog to a dermatologist - as they are very experienced in skin issues and will save you time with a vet who is not as educated in skin issues - here is the link

I would go to chris reeder at animal dermatology below and the reason is we go to animal dermatology here in california and they are an excellent group of dermatologists
https://www.acvd.org/

Animal Dermatology Clinic

[pinkii726]

Sometimes females will pull their hair out or shed. It happened to my female when she was between 6 months and a year and a half, she shedded like crazy but when it all grew back it was very soft and it has never happened again and she is five! So best of luck!!