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Dog
Hair Loss - information, causes, symptoms and treatment
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Some
breeds of dogs are prone to hair loss. Greyhounds for example.
See "Daz" above. Can you see how bald he is going
on the top and the inside of his back legs and his belly?
He might look a bit odd but he is a happy chap and perfectly
healthy.
Whislt
greyhounds are subject to hair loss, and dog can lose hair
for any number of reasons. It's not uncommon, has many causes
and can generally be treated. What we will take a look at
on this web site are some of the causes, symptoms and treatment
of dog hair loss. Please remember that this web site is for
informational purposes and to ALWAYS consult a vet if you
are concerned about your dog's health
A
note of thanks to "Daz" for his inspiration.
Hair
loss in humans is seen by some as devastating from a vanity
point of view. Others, however, do not have a problem with
it. For humans, hair loss is often associated with genetics
and is not linked to illness – although, of course, sometimes
it is. In dogs, hair loss can, indeed, be a result of poor
health and can signal illness. Usually, it offers a red flag
to dog owners, warning them that there is an underlying condition
and that veterinary intervention is probably required.
Possible
Causes of Hair Loss in Dogs:
Allergies.
These
are similar to human allergy sufferers. Food, pollen and dust
produce allergies that can lead to hair loss in dogs. Flea
bite is another common allergy in dogs. Rather than the dog
being allergic to the actual flea, it is the saliva that the
dog reacts to. Food allergies are often indicated by itching,
hair loss and the licking of their feet. The itching can also
result in infection as a result of relentless scratching.
Other allergies arise from substances in the atmosphere (such
as pollen) and environment (such as household cleaning products
or rubber).
Hereditary
Causes.
Genetic
inheritance to specific conditions can also be a cause of
hair loss in dogs. Some of these conditions include Black
Hair Follicular where puppies lose their dark hair. Another
inherited condition that causes hair loss is Color Dilution/Mutant
Alopecia. This occurs at about six months of age, and the
blue and fawn colored hair is lost. Pituitary Dwarfism, a
condition that interferes with the normal development of the
dog, also causes hair loss.
Parasites.
Another
nasty cause of hair loss in dogs is that of parasites, such
as fleas or mites. Fleas enjoy moist and warm conditions and,
with the use of indoor heating, the perfect environmental
conditions exist for infestation. If your dog has an allergy
to fleas, the symptoms can be far more problematic. There
are many products on the market that interfere with the lifecycle
of the flea. All bedding, floors and yards should also be
treated to eradicate infestations. Mite is another parasite
that causes hair loss in dogs.
Mite
produces mange and three types include: Sarcoptic, Demodectic,
and Cheyletiellosis. The mites responsible for Sarcoptic mange
do not bury themselves as deeply under the dog’s skin as the
Demodex mite, so treatment is easier. Demodectic mange is
most likely in those dogs that have a low immune system. It
is more difficult to rid as the mites bury themselves deeper
under the skin. Hair loss, redness, scales, pustules and legions
are common signs that your dog might have mange. It is necessary,
however, to see a veterinarian who will use skin scrapings
to confirm if it is mite.
Stress
and Poor Diet.
Psychological
abuse and stress can also cause hair loss in a dog, as well
as poor nutrition. There are many causes of hair loss in dogs.
Often the symptoms provide a way of determining what the cause
might be. In some cases, it is possible to remedy the situation
yourself with just diet or eradication of causation factors,
such as not using household chemicals.
In
other cases, it is necessary to visit your local veterinarian
who can determine what the actual problem is.
