opinion on my great pry mix

[tamelroy]

I know she is only a mix, but she is shedding so bad right now. I read on a Great pry site that they have something called a blowout. Is this true? I pet her and her hair just comes out every where. She went from looking like a big ball of fur to a thin dog. there wasn't any weight loss it was a fur loss. Do you think something is wrong, should I call her dr? She is eating fine she is still her hyper self. I know it isn't mites I have been there already with her when I got her from the shelter last year.

Thanks for you advice, I don't want to jump and call the vet because they will want me to go in and it could be the norm. (If it is just shedding)

 

[PotterWatch]

If you can see patches of skin, I would be concerned. Other than that, I would think it's normal. Most breeds with coats like pyrs shed all year round but do have a couple times a year where they blow their coat out more heavily. We used to be able to fill trash bags when our newfie blew out her coat.

 

[AkTomboy]

Quote:
Yes Pyrs and any double coated dog will blow its coat about twice a year. It is normal you will need to keep brushing her untill she is down to just her gaurd hair or you risk getting hot spots and infections. As long as you know for sure its not a parasite then you will be fine.

Try having 8 of them at once decide to blow thier coats

I had the biggest hair balls you had ever seen

 

[Tala]

Yep. Double-coated dogs "blow their coat" twice a year. For intact females it's approx 4 months after their last heat cycle - you can almost set your calendar by it. (I have no experience with males or spayed females though.)
The difference in this house is going from vacuuming once a week to vacuuming DAILY! It's a realy obvious event! I simply call it shedding season.
Dusti's big fluffy "butt fur" looks noticably thinner after she loses the undercoat from it.

I use an Oster Undercoat Rake to help remove all the undercoat. Best $32 I ever spent on dog stuff!!!

 

[tamelroy]

thank you every one!

So every 4 months after heat I can expect this?

I did buy a rake for her undercoat, but now that is less fluff it doesn't work as good. I also bought some shampoo from petco to help rid of hair from the under coat. It worked pretty good, not enough to get rid of it all, but it got a lot out.

Tell me about it! I have been using the vaccum so much, for me it is 2-3 times a day, or the kids really wear it!! lol

Thanks again every one!!!!!!!!!!!!