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Why is my chihuahua yelping, losing hair, and chewing her skin?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | unspayed | 9 months and 27 days old | 2 lbs

My 10 mth old chihuahua will be sitting or laying and yelp loudly and then be sleepy. She is losing her hair and chews herself bloody at times

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 5th, 2019

It sounds like there are few things that could be going on with Belle. She could be in pain with the yelping. The hair loss and chewing could be due to fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If she isn't up to date on her flea treatment, I can give you one for her. First, I would give her Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash her bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. If she is up to date on her flea treatment, I recommend taking her into the vet for an exam tomorrow. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching (chewing is a sign of itchiness) is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment. I hope this helps!

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