Hair change

Question
QUESTION: I have a Morkie born 8-25-07, and I had a microchip implanted 1-21-09. Since then I have noticed the last 3 months or so that her hair that is sable in color and soft and curly to the touch. It has turned to a tanish red and short in the area just left of the implant on her back/side, it is diffently spreading and i'm wondering if this is normal.

ANSWER: I think a trip to the vet may be in order here.  Have you noticed her scratching or chewing at the place where the microchip was implanted?  That would be my first guess for why her hair is changing just there.  Whether or not it has something to do with the microchip I don't know.  I have never heard of one irritating a dog but there's a first time for everything and I'm not a vet.  Take a good look at the skin there to see if you notice anything unusual like scratches, redness, scabbing, etc.  She is well past the age when she lost her puppy coat so I doubt it has anything to do with that although she is nearing maturity (typically sometime around 2 years) so it may be that her coat is changing as she matures.  My inclination is that she is chewing at this site for some reason. As to whether or not this is normal, a small patch of fur changing color and texture for an unexplained reason is not really normal, nor is it necessarily alarming.  It is something that should be investigated in case it is a serious issue and/or to prevent a small issue from becoming a large one. Whether it's a skin issue or a problem with the microchip a vet would be the best person to help her.  Best of luck to you and your little Morkie!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for your prompt and concerned response on my lil coco bear's hair issue. Just got back from vet and both Dr.s where in surgery, so I set a Friday appt, and I will glady let you know the outcome as it might come in handy down the road. I can tell you with the upmost certainty the she does not scratch or bite at the area and I find no dry, red or otherwise irritated skin under the area in issue. As you stated both the girls at the vets office said they wanted the Dr to see her and they hadn't seen it before, and also felt it wasn't a threat at this time.

Answer
Thank you for updating me on Coco Bear's hair problem.  I look forward to hearing what hopefully will be a glowing report from her vet.  One more thing to watch between now and then.  Try to notice if she's rubbing against anything in particular such as where she sleeps, does she back that part of her up to a table?  When she walks is there a table she frequently walks under that is just that height?  She may not be itching or scratching with her teeth or even intentionally.  Routinely rubbing that area could cause the hair to change the same as chewing or scratching would.  Here's to hoping it's something simple, cheers!