dog going bald

[erdog3]

Ellie my Labrador who had pups 9 weeks ago has started to loose her fur, she is bald in some places especially round her neck and shoulders, she is shivering in the mornings, I have to put a blanket on her and light the fire to warm her up, she is inside, but I am going to have to put her dog coat on I think. Could this be from the pups? will I wait it out or take her to the vets? she is well in every other way.

[GretaJack]

I could be wrong since I have never whelped a litter, but doesn't a b!tch molt after a litter? When my neighbor's female had her litter she looked pretty nasty after while. They told me that she was molting because so much nutrients go to the pups and that her body's response to not the normal amount of nutrients absorbed by her body caused the molting. But then again, they are backyard breeders that really should never be breeding. We ended up taking one of their "purebred" lab females since they were going to send her and another to the pound when they couldn't sell them. My dear Greta doesn't look like a lab and she had a world of problems when she was younger, including being diagnosed with hip displysia at the age of 10 months old. Beside the point. If they knew anything at all, maybe they were right about this? Hope Ellie turns out fine.

[Dax]

In the bald spots are their any scabs or indications of infection. Is she chewing her fur. Watch out for mange and check about adding nutrient supplements to her diet.

Hope, it's temporary because of new pups.

[erdog3]

No there isn't any scabby bits, greta is right they do lose fur when having babies, but not this much I did'nt think, I fed her on a balanced puppy diet straight after mating till weaning, after whelping she got a calcium supplement too, she is back onto a normal diet now as only 1 puppy is left here and her milk is dried up, but I did'nt think they would loose all the fur she has, do you think she may need a vitamin boost now, should I put her back on puppy diet, I don't want anything to happen to her, if I lost her I would be beside myself with grief. She has had all vaccinations etc. she is nearly 3.

[Dax]

Puttig her back on the puppy food couldn't hurt (watch her weight so she doesn't get fat) Give it a week or two if no improvement take to vet or asap if it continues to get worse. But it doesn't sound like an infection or parasite which is a good thing.