Bald patch

[RottnJava]

Hi.

Java has a bald patch on her chest, between her front legs... if she's on her back, it's the spot that sticks up.

It's smooth, and there are no scabs. It's just as if she were shaved there. There's a light dusting of hair, but not much.

Any thoughts? Food allergies? Hot spots? ....mange? Ugh.

I'm taking her to the vet later this week, but would like to see what y'all think.

Melissa

[Canadianrotti]

How old is your pup? Caesar has a little bald spot on his hind leg (started when he was about 3 y/o) because everytime he lies down, it rubs on the ground. It sounds similar, no scabs or roughness, just no hair.

[mmgy]

Does she bow, as in play bow, front legs down and outstretched? I've had quite a few dogs that would bow, then stretch into a frog-leg position, and in doing so would rub their chest on the ground till it looked pretty bare.

One of my brits has such a deep chest he's never had hair growing down his breastbone!

[Patty1231]

Both of my dogs have thin hair on the deepest part of their chest. I just figured this was from rubbing against the carpet when the stretch, play, etc.

[RottnJava]

Oh my Gods.

You know what, of all the things I DIDN'T think of, play bowing is likely it. She'll drop and then plow ahead, dragging her CHEST on the ground.

What a dumb . (me not her)

Melissa

[TJG]

can't rule out the aggressive playing then you rubbing her on the chest vigorously also can cause a little friction.

[RottnJava]

Originally Posted by TJG

can't rule out the aggressive playing then you rubbing her on the chest vigorously also can cause a little friction.

No, I don't think this is it... I usually don't rub on her chest, I rub her belly, but not the point on her chest.

She is deep chested so it's most likely from bowing on the floor.

Thanks for the answers and thoughts!

[Mary Bouchard]

My male lost a small patch on his head due to a spider (black widow) bite. If I had not removed the spider I would never of known the cause.

The vet says it will likely not grow back due to the venom and we were lucky it did not need skin graphs.

[RottnJava]

Originally Posted by Mary Bouchard

My male lost a small patch on his head due to a spider (black widow) bite. If I had not removed the spider I would never of known the cause.

The vet says it will likely not grow back due to the venom and we were lucky it did not need skin graphs.

Man, I am so glad we don't have poisonous spiders around here. At least not anything to worry about. That's so weird. Lucky him!

[Judi W]

If rubbing caused bald spots, dogs would have all kinds of them. Mine would have naked backs from their joyful back scrubbing on the carpet and snaking themselves on their backs all the way down the hill at training. Some would be bald on the top of the head from head pats and rubs...........

Come on guys. It might be the dog has a naturally very thin coat there or something else, but it is highly likely the hair coat was rubbed off.

[lcarothers]

Originally Posted by Mary Bouchard

My male lost a small patch on his head due to a spider (black widow) bite. If I had not removed the spider I would never of known the cause.

The vet says it will likely not grow back due to the venom and we were lucky it did not need skin graphs.

Mary,
I had a recent problem with Bubba's neck. 2 spots actually. I have continued to wonder if it was a spider bite, even after an unsatisfactory visit to the vet, was told it was allergies. (we have blk widow and brown recluse spiders here)
I had ask for and got great responses here at the vets corner site, but you are the first to have first hand experience with a verified spider bite.

Anyway, at the bite site, did your pup weep a clear fluid after the initial bite?

any info is helpful