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  1. #1
    Puppy Calla's Avatar
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    Blowing coat in January normal?

    Hi all,

    I noticed my beauty black lab (3 yrs old) had a bald spot on her left flank and then I saw one on her right thigh (no irritated skin)....I investigated in case it was due to other health issues but she is really really blowing her coat. Brushing every day (even with furminator) and getting piles of fur. Coat is beautiful and not in danger of alopecia etc but Im curious if this is normal....it's -20 degrees/bitterly cold. I thought they blew their coat in spring? I have multiple dogs but she is my only lab so this is new to me. She has been through 2 TPLO's (successful) and is in remission from ITP (autoimmune blood disease) so she sees a vet regularly for blood tests etc. The brushing produces lots of fur & dandruff (she does take salmon oil/vitamin E) and some of the hair growing back in one of the bald spots is white.... whaaat? lol.

    She's had her share of health issues but wanted to ask if this is considered 'normal' to blow her coat at this time of year

    Thanks,
    Janet
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  2. #2
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    All the Labs here blow their coats in December/January. It always starts on the date that daylight is longer. Everyone's always mad because their dogs are out of coat for the local big huge show in mid-January.

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    Calla (01-22-2019)

  4. #3
    Senior Dog
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    My guys had a significant blow last month, too...still dwindling down from that. My guys get brushed every morning anyway so the increase is real obvious on their brushes.

    Please don't use a furminator often...you end up stripping off too much undercoat. A Zoom Groom accomplishes the same thing but is gentle and only removes what should be removed (follow up with a slicker or curry comb).

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    Calla (01-22-2019), lovemylabby (01-23-2019)

  6. #4
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    Oban is starting to blow his too. It's normal, though I agree it does not seem to make much sense to lose coat in the coldest weather. But all mine have done it.
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    Oct. 15, 2007 - June 13, 2021
    Oxtongue Rapids Park. Oct. 2019 Hidden Content

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    Calla (01-27-2019)

  8. #5
    Puppy Calla's Avatar
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    Thanks so much for your replies....appreciate it! And SunDance.....really happy that you suggested the grooming tools as that was another question that was in my mind. Im googling 'Zoom Groom' now :-)

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    SunDance (01-24-2019)

  10. #6
    Senior Dog
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    Could the spots be hot spots? Just a thought.

    I agree...a furminator will remove a Lab's undercoat, and you don't want to do that.

    I also like the Zoom Groom.

  11. #7
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    Furminators also cut the top guard hairs. Really not the best brush to use...I can see during the big blow, it will pull out coat FAST, but as a regular brush it's more damaging than useful.

    House dogs blow their coat whenever. There is no real schedule.

    Dandruff sometimes is left-over shampoo if you bathe the dog more frequently. You might want to do a rinse with warm water and then towel dry. You can get a pin brush, they usually work well to pull out loose coat.

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    Calla (01-27-2019)

  13. #8
    Senior Dog Shelley's Avatar
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    I use an undercoat rake to remove dead undercoat without damaging the guard hairs.

    My gurls shed on a hormone cycle, very predictable, lol

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    Calla (01-27-2019)

 



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