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Boxers/boxer mom losing hair

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Expert: - 4/3/2010


Question
my female boxer(age 3or 4) had pups 5 weeks ago and is suddenly losing hair. This seems to be an entire body thing, not just in
one spot or two as mites might suggest.  Could this be a vitamin
deficiency or is it a common occurence in females?  thank you!

Answer
Hi Susan,

No this is not normal. Have your vet do a skin scraping to determine if mites are present as the stress of the litter is very taxing on females which in turn could lower her immune system response thus allowing the mites to multiply rapidly. It is usually a T-Cell deficiency that allows the mites to multiply and the dog then becomes unable to keep the mites in check. All dogs have mites on them but most dogs are able to keep them in check without the mites over multiplying. It could also be a vitamin deficiency too so I'd try NuVet Vitamins and/or a higher quality food preferably with fish oil in it. It could also be a thyroid issue. Definitely have your vet check her out. Thank you for your question.

Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant
http://www.hitowerboxers.com

Boxers

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Angela Donald

Expertise

I'll be happy to answer questions about boxer dog allergies,behavior,behavior modification,breeding,care,coat color genetics,diet,ear cropping,exercise,genetics,grooming,health,history,pedigrees,showing and training.

Experience

I am a dedicated dog enthusiast and guardian of boxers for 40 years, a boxer conformation show exhibitor and breeder as well as a canine behavior consultant with a special interest in the boxer breed. I currently share my life with six boxer dogs.See our family of Boxer Dogs

Organizations
American Boxer Charitable Foundation

Publications
I currently contribute regularly to Dog-Canine Blog.I am the founder and publisher of The Boxer Behavioral Journal,a scientific journal with detailed behavioral case study information,which someday I hope will add valuable knowledge to the breeding,care and health of the breed.I am also a freelance writer with my latest article: Distinctive Behaviors of Boxer Dogs found at http://www.hitowerboxers.com/boxerdogbehavior.htm and distributed on the world wide web.

Education/Credentials
I have a MBA from AU.I have gotten real life experiences from my 40 years of the family owning boxers and other canine breeds, through my boxer rescue rehabilitation efforts, obedience training of the breed, more than 20 years of study on dog-canine behavior, genetics, health research,from my work as a canine behavioral consultant,exhibitor and breeder. My quest for canine knowledge is a never ending journey.

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