Question:
I just got a mini pinscher. she is 4 months old. the lady who originally owned her in richmond california- not a very nice place with not very nice or smart people. well the lady put bleach all over her to get rid of fleas as far as i know or was told and all her hair fell off!!!!!. i only got her 2 weeks ago and her hair has grown quite alot if it was all off. but her skin, around her face especially is dry and wrinkley and the hair on her forehead hasn't grown back completely. it's not bald just short. you can see the dry skin and tiny scabs. i have so far only seen one flea and I am very meticulous so that's not that big of a deal. I bought a moisturizing doggy shampoo and I use conditioner to try and moisten her skin. is there some kind of lotion I could possibly use? she is not in pain but she occasionally scratches. I know I have to take her to the vet anyway, just wanted some input- i doubt this has happened to anyone- well not EVERYONE but I don't think anyone here will know anyone. oh and does anyone have pet insurance/health insurance? and how much is a check up usually? anyone have any suggestions?

Answer:
I don't have insurance, so I can't help you there.

That horrible, horrible woman! That could have killed that poor little dog!
You must definately take the little pup to the Vet and have him/her take a look at it. It's going to need a medicated lotion to ease the irritation the bleach caused. Basically, that nasty woman burned the hair right off!

Run, don't walk, to the Vet. Explain what happened and talk to him about insurance. They either deal with someone in particular, or can recommend someone in your area.

You could try baking soda and tepid (room temperature) water in the meantime, to ease the discomfort the dog must certainly be feeling.

Answer:
OMG I can't believe a person would be so stupid to put bleach on a dog. Poor pup. I would use goldbond lotion on the pup's skin. Put omega 3 oil in it's food too. Hope the pup heals fast.

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I would explain what happened to this poor little darling and let him know that you want to help the dog and get treatment he might also give you a break on price my vet does with rescues. I pay 65.00 for a visit but I dont know about prices in the states. I would start adding fish oils and flax seed to food this should help to add some oils to her skin and fur. I would think a bath in oatmeal soap might be soothing as well. Oatmeal is excellent for dry skin. But I would definitely see a vet and get his advice. Then go pour bleach on the past owner.

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I've also heard good things about oatmeal. Besides, if she's enjoying herself, it won't hurt her to eat the soap!!

Please...keep us posted on this little darling's condition!

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she's not in pain now- this happened a while ago... i'm just woried her hair wont grow back completely . the people at the humane society told me to never bring her around bleach-she might get scared. so i don't use bleach in my house. and I was also considering the oatmeal bath. there was an oatmeal shampoo next to the moisturizing shampoo that I bought so maybe i'll go back and get that or just do it the old fashioned home style way... i'll post pictures on mon so you can see even though her tramtic expreience, she's still beautiful.

i'm at work right now and don't have internet at my house yet so i'll be back on mon. might have to take her to the vet this weekend and i'll let you all know what happens!!! Thanks!
Gwen & princess

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Just a note...many times in a vet clinic if a tech or doc has a small spot of ring worm it is common practice to treat with a dab, just a dab of bleach. Listerine works also but rarely do we have this on hand because the mouths we kiss have such fresh breath. (If you believe that....interested in some high & dry swampland in Florida?)

No joke though kiddies...bleach does kill a minor fungus like ringworm. Seems as though the breeder took it a bit too far. Never, ever put bleach directly on a pet.!

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she's not spayed either....when do female dogs usually get their first heat cycle? I just want to be prepared!

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OH that poor baby! Toy breeds can come into heat quite early - any time after 6 months, so you can make an appointment to have her spayed when you take her for her skin problem.

My vet charges 35$ for a consultation and reg. check up.

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Geeze just when you think people can be stupid, they get stupider! Is that a word? stupider? Thankfully you saved her before these people killed her. Everything we put on our dogs is absorbed into their skin. Thank you for saving her and doing the right thing by taking her to a vet. Can you imagine the torture this poor dog went through by carrying bleach in her fur untill it fell off? A dogs sense of smell is thousands of times stronger than humans. It's not a mistake by the previous owner, it's cruelty!! The previous owner should be reported and charged! Sorry I'm so negative, can't help it lately. I'm extatic she has you to take care of her now!!
Ask the vet for brochers on insurance, they always seem to have them handy. It's really an individual choise.

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The previous owner should be reported and charged!
Agree that this is abuse and should be reported.

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