She is a mixed breed, rather large dog )150+ mixed breed. She's bathed monthly, and Flea/tick meds are applied monthly, but these clumps of hair behind her ears are baffling. She is brushed frequently, she has a lot of hair. She has no other clumpy areas of hair on her body. These areas that are clumpy don't seem to bother her, and I am unable to brush them. They are not infected. They do not appear to be infested with anything either, however, they do not go away. I'm not sure when they actually appeared, it's been awhile. From what I've read, they aren't a problem, but, I'm not a vet. She is not due to go back to the vet til Dec., should I be concerned of these clumps of hair? Should I schedule a visit to the vet? Do you know of any otc medications I could apply to these areas? Any valid suggestions would be appreciated.
2006-09-25 13:15:45 · 9 answers · asked by interested 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I'd bet that the hair behind her ears is ultra fine and silky hair - that's why it mats. You need to get a good quality slicker brush and tease the mats out. You can give a dog slicker burn with this brush (that's why it's only to be used for mats), so put your fingers under the mat, next to her skin, and try and brush it out in sections. If you need to cut, use blunt tipped scissors, and cut in small sections. If you can keep this area trimmed shorter, it should be easy to brush but this is a problem area for lots of types of dogs - you need to be sure you're getting to the skin when you're brushing.
2006-09-25 15:55:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to de-mat there or take her to a groomer and have it done. All that's wrong is that she scratches and gets it knotted.
I use blunt end scissors and keep the hair trimmed back there one the one dog who has the same problem. However, you HAVE to make sure you're not getting skin..it's very easy to pull up on the hair and cut to close and get the ear. Then, at 150 pounds, you've got a major problem!!
You can start by using your fingers and trying to work the mats loose. I literally pick them apart one hair at a time if I have to. Once you can definitely tell you have hair and not skin, you can cut through the mat, and then it usually comes free. The dog will probably HATE it, but try working on them a little while, and then giving praise and a treat for putting up with it. Let it go for an hour, and try some more.
Since that's a hard area to bathe, you can get the pet wipes to keep the dirt out, and then you can keep it brushed and trimmed
You need to get it taken care of. The ears are sensitive and it's easy for them to get an infection under a mat. I've seen dogs, and cats, have to have the ear flap amputated because of an infection under a mat.
Take it slow...or go to a groomer, but get it cleaned up.
2006-09-25 20:28:20 · answer #2 · answered by Kaia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have your vet clip the clumps of hair off, then buy a good slicker brush & keep the areas brushed out twice weekly.
2006-09-25 21:59:05 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi my dog has long hair also she is mixed bearded collie and they said shi su ? her name is kathimay any way i find when dogs are mixed you have to add a little more care. because maybe she does have different ears than the main breed. kathimay gets mats there also i use detangler or condition when i bath her it helps me to groom her and yes you have to brush every second day. thank you hope i could help you
2006-09-25 20:33:18 · answer #4 · answered by dohder2006 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you mentioned that she is bathed monthly, do you do the bath at home or is she professionally groomed? if you are bathing her at home, i would recommend that you get her professionally groomed now and have the groomer clean up the areas behind her ears. professional groomers know how to take care of this problem. also, do not try to cut these clumps with scissors, it can result in cutting the skin and that would be bad. also trying to comb these areas is probably painful. please seek the help of a professional groomer.
2006-09-25 20:23:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well what it sounds like is you don't need to take your dog to the vet, it's not a big issue. It's just that she scratches herself alot there and it makes a matt, that's all. Solution: cut it off with regular scissors. Again, if it's what i think it is. My shepherd/collie mix has that too, and we cut it off. It doesn't really bother her.
2006-09-25 20:19:46 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where do you apply the flea/tick medicine? behind the ears? if so, theres your answer.
2006-09-25 20:25:44 · answer #7 · answered by Sarifynna 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
did you ask the vet the problem may be that you don`t tell the hol story tell the the vet!!!!!!
2006-09-25 20:21:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you might want to keep the area trimmed so that it's easier to manage
2006-09-25 20:19:29 · answer #9 · answered by onlyonemeg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋