Hi,
Lacey (9 month Golden Retriever) has been scratching and seems very itchy, is it fleas or could it be something else and is it likely to be fleas at this time of year? She has not had her first season yet and her hair is falling out in handfulls which is why I am not sure what to do. I give her 2 garlic tablets a day and have not seen any fleas but am wondering if I should get some frontline to put on her because she is scratching so much. Her skin seems very sensitive down her back especially around the tail and half way up her back but she is scratching her neck and underneath too. I would be grateful for any advice. Thanks

Hi Debbie ..have you looked for flea dirt at all? You can sometimes see the actual fleas but it is more likely that you can see tiny specks of flea dirt.

With her fur falling out as well it *could* be some form of mange ....or it could be that she is due in season ...there are so many reasons ..I would take her to the Vet for a check up and see what he/she says.

:)

Melody

Hi Debbie, I`d do what Melody has suggested & see what vet says.
Christine, Spain.

Hi Debbie,
I would diff get her to the vets for a check up, you don't want to start using flea treatments if she has a skin problem as it may irritate (sp) it and cause her to scrath more.
Good Luck and please keep us informed :)
Best Wishes
ILOVEDOGS

Hi,
Thanks, I think I will go to the vets today. Will let you know what happens.

Thats good Bebbie, let us know what they say.
Christine, Spain.

Hello,
Well I'm back from the vets and she apparently had blocked anal glands. The vet gave me some tablets to give to her and also gave her an antibiotic jab. Hopefully that will sort things out because my hubby and I read Ali's thread on the subject today and didn't like what we read. While I was at the vets, I asked about when Lacey should be speyed and I am very confused. When I took Lacey to the vet for her first check I was told by that vet to bring her back when she is about 9 months because she would have had her first season by then and she will also be well grown so that would be the best time to do it, but the vet I saw today asked if she has had her first season and when I told him that she hadn't he said that it was best for her to have it before it comes then and that he could do it on Monday. I read somewhere recently that it is not a good idea to have it done when a season is due because the increased blood flow would make it dangerous. I have heard and read so many things on this subject that I have got no idea what to do now.

Debbie,

With a large enough dog such as a golden, I would wait until she has had a season and then weeks later have her spayed. I have had dogs who were spayed before their first season and one done after and can honestly say that putting up with the mess was worth it as Megan who had a season really seemed to benefit from it in terms of maturity etc.

Remember that while your dog is growing hormonal development can have an effect on all her other systems too

Good luck, I know how confusing this can be

Theresa

Debbie,

This is my view other's will have there own way's to.

But if having a bitch spayed I would wait 3 months after the first season.

HTH
Karen

Spaying can cuse problems if it is done close to another season or just priotr to her first.

A friend of mine homed her Champion bitch that couldn't get mated to people in the breed who happen to have a dog I bred, and having lost their aged older dog, and the young one being only two, didn't want a pup.

She had just had a season, and failed to get in whelp yet again. they waited 3 months and had her spayed. Unfortunatly she was about to come in season again, and following the spay she hamoraged badly, and they almost lost her.

This is not a typical example, and the fact that she was having oddly timed seasons probably was the reason for her infertility.

I would wait about 8 weks after her season, and then have her cone, as now she is probably very close to having her first season anyway, and it isn't worth the risk.

My personal view if I were to spay my bitch would be to wait until 3 months after her first season.

Like Karen this is MY personal view and others may feel different. My BIL has a lab who was spayed at 6 months. In my opinion she never really matured - she is full size and weight etc but mentally she seems to me to have never really grown up and she is 6 now (this may be total co-incidence or the fact she's a Lab ;) )

Phoebie had her first season a little while ago Debbie and she was the first bitch I'd owned so was expecting the worst - she was a bit messy but nowhere near as bad as I thought she may be. The worst times when she did leave a soiled area was when she first woke up and her bedding was slightly soiled as she had been in one position for ages. Even then it was nothing a bit of water and washing powder couldn't sort out ;) I have heard of bitches who are much "messier" and maybe with it being her first season I got off lightly but it was no problem and she kept herself fairly clean (although a good bath was in order when she'd finished :rolleyes: )

SaraW

Debbie you may find this link interesting

I'm sure If I looked hard enough though I could find a site though that said when in the cycle didn't matter ;)

Have a word with the vet and tell him what your worries are - they may be able to put your mind at rest :)

Thanks SaraW for that link and everyone else too. I think waiting until after the season is probably the best thing to do. That is what I was planning on doing anyway until I saw the vet this afternoon. I am not looking forward to the season but I am sure I will cope when the time comes. Thanks again.