The American Beagler Forum

I have a litter of 8 week old puppies that im goin to try to keep and get started before i sale. anyway one of the males has a bunch of hair loss on back of neck an d back. some of the other puppies have a few spots but nothing major. im wondering are they fighting that much to be pullin that much hair or is it so called hotspots or food allergys i dont know any info or help will be greatly appreciated.

Sometimes they will nip each other enough to make sores that will cause hair loss. However, my bet is that his hair became matted in that area (with poop and/or urine) causing it to fall out. I would go ahead and wash him good with dishwashing liquid. I prefer either Joy or Dawn. Be sure to rinse the soap away completely so it will not blister him. Also, make sure the area the pups are sleeping in is as CLEAN and DRY as possible (no pee or poop!)- even if it means NO BEDDING material for now. Good luck with the pups!

thanks for the reply. their in a above ground kennel or big playpen as i callit so they are not exposed to laying in any pee or poop.

Check their hair at the base of the skin. If you see alot of dandruff type stuff there it could be lice or mange mites. I have a litter that is doing the same thing right now. I have bathed them in sulfodene shampoo, sprinkled some sevin dust on them, and also dipped them in happy Jack kennel dip. THe pups are healthy and frisky, eat like horses and in other wise good shape. Their hair is beginning to come back.