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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.
