Hi guys,
Some of you may know that I rescued a Staffy bitch in pup on New Years Eve. Birthing etc went well with no problems, but it's now nearly 6 months since she had her pups and I can't get her figure back!  She's muscling up nicely and is getting plenty of on and off lead exercise (was v. fat and unfit when we got her), but still has loose skin where her udder was at the back.  She also has balding round the eyes.  The vet has suggested mange wash, but is reluctant because of where it is.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance,
Sarah.

I can't help with the weight Sarah as with mine I have to give extra food to make them put the weight back on -however after a first litter they usually put it on easier than before. Just wanted to say the baldness around the eyes may be Demodectic Mange as that is a classic symptom. http://www.downlandvets.co.uk/Pages/Clinical/Pages/Mange.html As she's not a collie I'd ask the vet about using Ivermectin -no need for baths then. http://www.thedogscene.co.uk/details/demodectic-mange-1095.html

Cheers Marianne,
She's not overweight anymore, just saggy!  Like a cow with no milk!!   I'll do some more checking into the skin as I've read a lot of Staffys have this problem.

Sarah.

Sarah
You say she has loose skin underneath?  (like saggy boobies?) Tess had the same after she was speyed.
I would suggest getting her to have a go on a spring pull.  (Some people are not keen on these)
But I can vouch for the fact that they really tighten up the tummy muscles.
I can pm you the website where I got mine if you wish.
And also balding around the eyes - has the vet definitely said it is mange?  Rather than dose her up or wash with chemicals I'd be tempted to try a change in food?  Again, Tess had the same prob and a change in food worked wonders.
Just some thoughts :-)

Hi Tracey,
Yep, saggy boobs sums her up v. well!  Not sure whether the spring would work with her as she's not interested in ropes etc, but might be worth a try (you never know).
She arrived with her skin in this condition, and I did change her food onto a very good complete, along with tripe, lamb mince and vit. E and FBO (she was fed nothing but cheap tinned before I got her), but it made no difference.  Think a trip back to the vets to ask for a skin scrape to get proper diagnosis might be in order.

Cheers,
Sarah.

yep, sounds like that might be the right course of action...
and yep, you're right, skin probs do seem to be quite common in SBT's
Let us know how you get on ?

Sounds like she may have had numerous litters (and she wasn't given time to get back into condition) as I have found saggy boobs on one of mine as an older Mum after her third litter, and it took until a year to get her flat belly back, though nipples stayed rather large but flatter.

Also if she hasn't been spayed the boobs may be more pronounced after her season due to phantom.

Hi Brainless,
Her previous owner says she had had one litter before, but not sure whether to believe that or not :rolleyes:
Even if it takes up to a year, I'm not too bothered as long as they do disappear!
She hasn't been spayed, but I am using the Delvostorone injection until the Winter, then she's getting spayed.  I feel she's been through more than enough since coming to stay with me, what with settling in with my mad gang, then having a litter of pups.

Quick question about the spaying Brainless.  If she gets spayed whilst still saggy, will she still tuck up, or will the spaying cause the loose skin to stay, or am I better waiting till she's back in shape before spaying?

Cheers,
Sarah.