Reasons for Dog's Eye Area Hair Loss Explained

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Most cases of hair loss around a dog's eyes are caused by skin conditions.

Primarily, consider demodectic mange or allergic dermatitis as the culprits, although it could also be due to meibomian glanditis (stye).

Let's dive in with Oxygen Pet Doctor to explore how to address these issues!

Canine Demodectic Mange

Demodectic mange mites typically reside within hair follicles and occasionally in sebaceous glands, feeding on cells, sebum, and epidermal debris.

Causes:

Genetic defects

Nutritional deficiencies

Poor living conditions

Systemic diseases

Changes in the skin microenvironment

Symptoms:

Dogs may experience widespread hair loss, thickened skin, scabs, and dandruff. Unlike other skin issues, there is no significant scratching.

Treatment:

When a dog is diagnosed with demodectic mange, first administer an emergency external deworming medication like Advocate or Nitenpyram.

Administer ivermectin: A dosage of 0.20.4ml is recommended (not for Collies), with a 67 day interval between injections. Repeat this for a total of 5 courses. Always follow the doctor's advice for the correct dosage to avoid poisoning from overmedication.

Use pet shampoos or lindane emulsion for medicated baths with miterepelling properties. Bath every 2 days, soak for 510 minutes, and continue until the dog's symptoms improve. Be sure to follow the instructions for lindane dosage precisely and never use it blindly!

Orally administer Esomac (cefadroxil tablets) for inflammation and to prevent secondary bacterial infections.

Topically apply Pipette Antiseptic Spray + sulfur ointment (apply with cotton balls and cotton swabs, 3 times a day, just slightly moistened).

Important Notes:

Regularly disinfect the dog's environment with diluted 84 disinfectant (1:10 ratio) to prevent mite survival and spread, once or twice a week.

During the treatment of the dog's skin condition, feed it vitamin B to protect the skin barrier (note: this is supportive, not curative).

The average treatment period for canine demodectic mange is 416 weeks. It's advisable to have a scraping test every 24 weeks for reevaluation.

Demodectic mange can recur, with the most common cause being premature discontinuation of medication.

Incorporate foods rich in omega3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, to enhance the skin barrier function and reduce the risk of infection.

Canine Allergic Dermatitis

Causes:

Endogenous factors: Genetic predisposition, hormonal abnormalities, and allergic constitution.

Exogenous factors: Possible allergies to mosquitoes, mold, dust, pollen, sunlight, food, pathogens, and various other substances that can cause skin allergies in dogs.

Symptoms:

Red patches or papules, itching, hair loss, constant scratching, and rubbing against objects. In severe cases, skin ulcers may form, leading to further infection.

Treatment:

Identify and avoid allergens promptly.

Apply an antiseptic skin spray along with Fusant (zinc oxide ointment) for inflammation and infection prevention.

If the dog's allergic symptoms are mild, oral administration of Newmene (chlorpheniramine maleate tablets) can help relieve itching.

If the symptoms are severe, it's recommended to seek veterinary care for desensitization shots.

Feeding a hypoallergenic prescription diet can be helpful if food allergies are present.

Meibomian Glanditis (Stye)

Meibomian glanditis is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus infection due to insufficient immune resistance.

Symptoms:

Red, swollen, hot, and painful inflammation of the eyelids, with redness and hair loss around the eyes.

Treatment:

Wear a collar for 24 hours to prevent the dog from scratching or rubbing its eyes.

Under veterinary guidance, use broadspectrum systemic antibiotics such as cefamoxicillin, typically for 24 weeks.

Under veterinary guidance, use gentamicindexamethasone eye drops (1 drop per session, 4 times a day) and oxytetracycline ointment (apply as directed, 2 times a day).

If there are symptoms like squinting or significant eye discomfort, seek medical attention immediately.

Apply a warm compress wrapped in a towel for 5 minutes, followed by a cold compress wrapped in a towel for 5 minutes, alternating 4 times, for a total of 20 minutes, once in the morning and once in the evening.