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  1. #1
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    PLEASE ADVISE! Furminator Bald Spots!!!

    Hello everyone,

    I'm brand new to the forum and have found it very helpful in these first 3 weeks of having my pup, Henry. He's a yellow, 11week old lab and I am really concerned about the results I am seeing after using the furminator.

    I used it today for a few minutes since he is shedding so badly, and now I see some raw pink spots on his sides! I feel awful and just really want some kind words that reassure me it will grow back! I have never had a dog before and I love him with my whole heart. Please tell me it will grow back and he will be okay! Needless to say, I'm returning that tool and just letting nature do its job. Again, first dog, inexperienced, and now very concerned!

  2. #2
    Senior Dog charliebbarkin's Avatar
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    I am sorry this happened, I have no experience with the furminator (thanks to this board, I never went out and got one!). I am glad you are returning the product. If you want a brush to really get the hair loose, use a kong zoom groom then go over it with a regular brush to grab any loose hair.

    When in doubt, go to the vet. You don't want to cause bigger issues by ignore the spots, or cause infection. If it were me, I would probably clean it with Apple Cider Vinegar with 'Mother' and put coconut oil over it, depending on how it looked.

    Welcome to the forum!
    Charlie and Burton


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    Henry'sMom (07-01-2014)

  4. #3
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    You can't use the furminator a lot and you can't go crazy with it. Get a simple boars bristle brush or a zoom groom. For the most part, a pup doesn't even need to be brushed, just enough to get them trained to like it.

  5. #4
    Puppy g-girl's Avatar
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    Hi - Don't worry too much. It will fill in. Just keep an eye on it and make sure the pup isn't licking the areas or that they are getting irritated. I like the zoom groom and I also use a shedding tool (some people don't like these either). I just use the shedding tool lightly a couple of times a week to get the loose undercoat out. Good luck - we all have done something similar at one point or another!

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    Henry'sMom (07-01-2014)

  7. #5
    Real Retriever 3ChocMom's Avatar
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    First off, yes, it will grow back. When you say the skin is raw, did you break the skin or is it just red and irritated? If it's just red, but no broken skin, I would use some soothing aloe vera on it and just keep an eye on it. When you put the aloe on it, immediately occupy him so he doesn't lick it off. It won't hurt him if he licks it, but it also won't work if he licks it off. If the skin is broken, you may need to take him to the vet to make sure there's no infection starting.

    I will say this too. Labs shed, but puppies generally don't too badly until they start blowing their puppy coats, which can take up to a year to happen. I have a 10-week-old puppy and I have yet to brush him. I'm sure he sheds some, though I have 2 other dogs so who knows who the hair on my floor comes off of. But my point is that if your puppy is really shedding excessively, there could be an underlying health issue because this isn't normal. But I'm not sure what your definition of a lot of shedding is, since you are admittedly a first time dog owner.

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    Henry'sMom (07-01-2014)

  9. #6
    Senior Dog kelsyg's Avatar
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    I think puppy fur is too fine to use a furminator.
    I use one every few weeks, but not on a puppy.
    Are you sure the pink raw spots weren't there before and you are just seeing them after furminating?
    I am sure his hair will grow back and I'm sure Henry has already forgiven you!
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    Henry'sMom (07-01-2014)

  11. #7
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    Thank you all so very much for your kind words. I feel beyond awful. I didn't realize it would take off so much fur, and I just kept at it since tons of hair was coming off. Do you guys think it will fill in over time? How long will it take and is there anything I can do to help him? He looks like a little leopard

    I have been at the vet constantly for one thing or another, and I feel so badly for this little guy. It's breaking my heart to see him like that. He doesn't seem to be in pain, but his little pink spots from where there is little to no hair just worry me since I've never had a dog before and don't know how long it will be before it grows back.

  12. #8
    Senior Dog arentspowell's Avatar
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    Live and learn, it will grow back but it will probably take a few months. The furminator takes off the top coat but it also ends up shearing off some of the undercoat. You can't really go over an area more than one or two times because it's sharp and irritates the skin underneath. I didn't know the first time I used it either.

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    Henry'sMom (07-01-2014)

  14. #9
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    Yes, live and learn. I just wanted to make sure it will grow back, which folks on here say it will over time. I wish I had know better before doing it He is the sweetest dog I could've ever dreamed of, and I know he had a rough start at the breeder's house, so it makes me sad to think he's got to look like a little leopard because of something I did. I won't ever be using that thing again. Is there anything I can do to help it fill in faster?

  15. #10
    Senior Dog Berna's Avatar
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    Toss the furminator. It damages the fur. Also, I can't believe that an 11 week old can shad that bad.
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    bett (07-02-2014)

 



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