Constant chewing and runing coat

**DonCoryon** · 08-21-2011, 08:29 PM

My lab is constantly chewing her legs lately and is starting to eat away all the hair. We don't have fleas where I live in Las Vegas. I gave her a bath a couple of weeks ago and the problem hasn't gotten any better. I'm concerned. Any helpful advice is appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

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**Tanya** · 08-21-2011, 08:39 PM

have you talked to a vet? that is alot of hair loss, something is definately wrong. allergies, mange, bug of some kind...could be anything.

**Sophiesmama** · 08-21-2011, 11:00 PM

It could be lice or mites, or even biting flies or mosquitos. I would put on some topical flea treatment that also takes care of these critters and see if that keeps him from chewing himself.

**DonCoryon** · 08-22-2011, 02:00 AM

Does anyone think it could be due to stress? It's extremely hot here in Vegas during the summer so none of us really go outside. Not much play. She goes out with her sister in the mornings before the heat gets too unbearable but usually they want in after only a half hour or so.

**Samson** · 08-22-2011, 02:39 AM

More likely a flea allergy. Dogs do not need to have fleas to be allergic.

Did the rash appear before the bath or after ?

**rpost7786** · 08-22-2011, 08:59 AM

Avery has a similar issue, He has hair loss on his neck and chest area. We did skin scrapings, came back negative for mange. Vet said it's not flees. Gave him antibiotics and a medicated shampoo. He thinks he developed an allergy to his food. I switched him to Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet. He isnt itching as much but the vet said give him about 8 weeks to see a difference. Or it could be seasonal allergies.

**Belles mom** · 08-22-2011, 09:45 AM

Stress certainly make whatever is wrong worse, but I do not think the whole cause. Food allergies or manage would be my first guesses

**Luvmydog2much** · 08-22-2011, 01:37 PM

I'd say Mange. Bring her to a vet to see if they think a scraping is due.

Even heartworm depletes the coat, could be any number of things really.

**DonCoryon** · 08-22-2011, 07:04 PM

There is no rash. It looks like dry skin. We did change her food recently. Back in June. We first noticed this earlier in the month. It has steadily gotten worse.

**labby** · 08-22-2011, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by DonCoryon

There is no rash. It looks like dry skin. We did change her food recently. Back in June. We first noticed this earlier in the month. It has steadily gotten worse.

Have the vet take a few skin scrapings and check it under a microscope.