Dog Losing Hair
" "Dog losing hair has multiple reasons. Some are specific to a certain breed and others can become a problem for any breed. Not all hair loss can be explained. Like humans, a dog can even suffer from baldness. If you cannot find the cause consider a change in diet and possibly supplementation with melatonin, herbal remedies for omega-3 fatty acids."
Dog hair loss has multiple reasons. Many can be explained by medication reasons, some due to poor diet, bathing and nutrition and others have no explanation.
Here is a list of possible problems and treatment options
There are many medical and unknown reasons for dog losing hair. Reasons include:
|
Disease
or Dog Hair Problem
|
Dog
Hair Related and other Symptoms
|
Treatment
|
Prognosis
|
| Hyperadrenocorticism (excessive production of glucocorticoids) | dull hair coat, slow hair growth, coat color change, partial-to-complete symmetric hair loss (alpaca) of the rump, | glucocorticoids, adrenalectomy (surgical removal of the adrenal glands which are two glands located above the kidneys) | Dogs with condition can live 3 years with some over 10 |
| Hypothyroidism | dull brittle coat,Lethargy, obesity, depression, | Hormone replacement therapy with levothyroxine | Lifelong medications, should have no effect on life span |
| Follicular dysplyasia | Non inflammatory hair loss (alopecia), except on the head and limbs | Retinoids (vitamin A derivative), melatonin (stimulates hormone production) | Excellent, hair will regrow |
| Cyclic follicular dysplasia | Hair loss on the trunk
of your dog, hair
regrows after 3 to 4 months. Possible changes in skin color |
Melatonin (stimulates hormone production) | Excellent with treatment, could be induced by poor care or too much sun |
| Pattern baldness (often seen in Dachshunds and Greyhounds) | Hair loss (Alopecia) on the ears, behind the ears , lower part of the neck , thighs, tail | Proper nutrition and care | Excellent |
| Color dilution alopecia | Lighter hair, clusters of hair color change, damaged hair shaft | Retinoids, fatty acid supplements | Good for general health. Hair may not regrow |
| Dermatosis - which is a general name for any skin disease where their is inflammation | Puppy-like hair coat, coat color changes, less than normal amount of hair on the head or body (hypotrichosis) and hair loss (alopecia) pubic area hair loss, flank, trunk, neck | Moisturizers, antimicrobial treatment, neutering, testosterone in castrated males, estrogen in spayed females, growth hormone | Good, temporary remission |
| Sertoli's cell tumor (dog testicle tumor) | Hair loss at parts of the body where there the hair comes in contact with other objects such as where your dog wears a collar (called symmetric alopecia). Other areas of hair loss include the behind, the place where your cat defecates and the breast area. | Castration is the most common treatment option | Excellent if the cancer hasn't spread |
| Anagen defluxion (means hair loss the second a hair starts to grow) | Sudden hair loss | Eliminating the cause | Excellent if underlying factor is identified |
| Sudden hair loss due to stress (Focal Alopecia) | Hair loss triggered by an event | Removal of cause of point of stress | Excellent |
| Lack of hair growth after the hair is clipped (happens in some aortic breeds or breeds with a plush coat) | No hair regrowth in areas that have been clipped or cut | Hair usually will regrow by itself in 6 to 24 months. The cause of the condition is unknown. | Excellent. |
| Demodectic Mange | Loss of hair around eyelids, lips, mouth, legs and body. Patches of hair loss. Some skin problems. | Treat with a lime sulfur dip type product such as Dermisil for Pet Mange. | Excellent |
| Pressure Sore (callus) | Hair loss on elbows or wrinkled skin. This is caused by lying on harder surfaces. | Remove cause. | Excellent |
| Hyperestrogenism (dog ovarian tumor) | Hair loss where the feces exits the body and the area between the hip and the last rib on each side | Surgical removal of the ovaries | Excellent |
There are several breed specific conditions that can cause dog losing
hair.
|
Breed
|
Dog
Losing Hair - Problem
|
| Dachshunds | Acanthosis nigrans - hair loss in arm pit. |
| Doberman | Color mutant alopecia - hair loss in different locations on the body, |
| Collie | Nasal Solar Dermatitis - Ulcers may form. Thought to be a problem with the immune system (automimmune disease) |
| Rottweilers, Belgian Tervuiren | Vitiligo: which is a loss of color and possibly hair loss. |
| Poodles | Sebaceous Adenitis - Loss of hair in same locations on both sides (symmetrical) of face, head, neck and back. May look like dandruff on skin. |
Dog Losing Hair and Nutrition
Nutrition can contribute to hair loss. If your dog's coat is dull or lifeless then you might want to either consider a change in diet, herbal supplement such as Skin and Coat Tonic or a fish oil supplement.. Your dog's coat is a reflection of diet.
Your dog's hair is made up of protein (90%). If your dog is not getting protein or certain amino acids then the hair can be lost, grow slower, be dull or brittle. Up to 30% of the proteins your dog eats goes into the hair and skin.
Have a Question About a Dog Hair Problem or a Story that can help others?
Do you have a Dog Hair and Coat related Question for our Editors or a Helpful Story to Share? Please include information such as age, sex, breed, medical history, areas where your dog is experiencing hair loss, skin and other symptoms, medications your dog is taking, recent changes in behavior, etc. A picture of the condition would also be helpful.
We will do our best to get back to you quickly (depends on how many questions we receive each day). If you do require an immediate response we suggest using this online dog veterinary service that is available now.
References:
The Dog with Alopecia
R.S. Mueller
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, US
Dog
Owners Home Veterinary Handbook
Eldredge, Debra; Carlson, Liisa; Carlson, Delbert; Giffin, James
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