Reasons for Dog Hair Loss: What's Causing It?

Alopecia, or hair loss, is a common occurrence that can affect our furry friends. In dogs, it often stems from a follicular disease, which may result from selfinflicted trauma due to scratching or chewing.

Severe hair loss can make your dog more susceptible to the elements. Moreover, certain conditions leading to alopecia can also have harmful effects on other organ systems within your pet.

Signs of Dog Alopecia:

Excessive shedding of fur

Abnormal skin appearance

Diagnosing Dog Alopecia:

Just like any other disease, the diagnosis process begins with the veterinarian gathering a detailed history of your dog's condition.

Be prepared to answer questions such as:

How long has your pet been experiencing hair loss?

How severe is the hair loss?

Does the hair in the affected area grow back?

Is your dog itchy, and does it frequently scratch its body?

Have you administered any medication? If so, what was it and how effective was it?

After obtaining a thorough history, the vet will conduct a comprehensive skin examination, paying close attention to the type of hair loss, the appearance of the skin, and the extent of hair shedding. They will also use a flea comb to search for fleas, flea dirt, or other parasites.

Specific diagnostic tests may include:

Hair Microscopy: This test helps determine whether the dog's hair has been pulled out by force or simply shed.

Scraping of Skin Lesions: The vet will use a scalpel to obtain surface cells as a sample to look for mites and other parasites.

Yeast Culture: This can be used to diagnose ringworm.

Biopsy of Skin Lesions: The vet will examine these skin samples under a microscope to determine the type of alopecia.

Treatment for Dog Alopecia:

There is no specific treatment for alopecia, as it is usually a symptom of an underlying condition. Therefore, identifying the root cause and treating it accordingly is the best approach to managing your dog's hair loss.

Home Care and Prevention:

Dogs with alopecia may require frequent grooming and flea prevention. If the hair loss is severe, some dogs might need additional clothing, like sweaters, during the winter to stay warm. In the summer, these dogs may suffer from sunburns due to their exposed skin.

In cases where hair loss is caused by a severe flea infestation, consult your veterinarian for a comprehensive flea control plan.