Labrador sudden hair loss?

I have a 5 year old black lab that has been fine forever---he went outside today as usual until i got home from work and he came inside and was in the bedrrom for a couple of hours after eating and i thought he was doing his usual nap after supper--to my horror i saw hair on the bed and he has completely bitten about a 5 inch part of his tail hair off---it is gone to the pink skin--terrible looking and he acts like it is tender, which i can imagine that it is...but why and what to do about it? I wont have vet money for a few days and dont want him chewing more of his hair off.....anyone that might have some answers as to what has happened or what i can do about it til i can get him to a vet--please reply --thanks and serious answers only please!!

Labrador sudden hair loss?

Call your vet and tell him what is going on. Let him know that you will not have money to pay any expenses for a few days. Most vets will let you make arrangements if they know in advance about your issue. Your dog's health is the most important thing here. If your vet won't do it, call every vet in the phone book until you find one who will.

In the meantime, give him a bath using either baby shampoo or formulated dog shampoo. Make sure you rinse him off thoroughly. Check for other spots on his body that are missing any hair. See if he is sensitive in that area. Put some neosporin on it to prevent infection. Try to make up some kind of makeshift e-collar or neckbrace to prevent him from chewing on it anymore.

You can give him a benadryl to relieve the itching, but if you do, make sure you give CHILDREN'S benadryl. An adult dose could hurt your dog.

Labrador sudden hair loss?

This could possibly be an allergic reaction to fleas. The only thing to do here is to see the vet and get a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Labrador sudden hair loss?

The most common reason I see for hair loss and itching around the tail is fleas. If you aren't already using a flea preventative, such as Frontline Plus, you should apply some ASAP. Some dogs are so allergic to fleas that even one bite can set them off like that.

Labrador sudden hair loss?

sounds like an allergy of some sort. Did he get bit by anything (flea, insect of some sort) I would say it must be something that just happened for it to have happened that fast so i would rule out anything in his diet. Was your yard treated with anything unusual? Try putting a bitter apple spray on him to get him to not chew it and maybe give him a benedryl to help relieve itching and tenderness (and if it's not an allergy a benedryll wont hurt him, might tire him out some though) My dog has flea allergies and getting bit by one flea will do that to her... just try to make sure he doesnt agitate it any more.