Hair Loss on Dogs, Puppies body. (alopecia)

 Hair Loss on Dogs, Puppies body.

     

  My Dog Odie is 3 and a half yrs old and he is now in perfect health condition, He is a latte brown local breed, however in the last couple of months I have noticed his hair on my black GnR T-shirt and the couch we generally play, later the hair trial was all over the places. I was noticing it everywhere, and of late he is not that active as he used to be. He was also eating less. As my shift had rolled over to night shifts, I was not able to take care of Odie as usual. Luckily last week I was able to schedule a routine checkup and now he is doing better than before. 

Top suggestions do not apply an ointment or cream on the dry patches/skin, without any advice from the VET.

 What you see: Hair is missing from your dog’s coat, in a single location, in broad patches, or in a symmetrical pattern. On closer inspection, individual hairs may or may not be broken off, and the skin in the hairless area may or may not appear irritated.

      What this might mean: A cosmetic problem, at the least. It also can indicate a serious underlying problem.

     

THINGS TO NOTICE  

Is your dog suddenly scratching or chewing at his skin to the point of injuring it? Is the loss on a front or rear leg, associated with chronic chewing? Is the hair loss in an area where his skin has been damaged previously, such as over a healed flesh wound?

     It’s likely to be a permanent scar-related hair loss called cicatricial alopecia. Call your veterinarian for advice.

Is the hairless area flaky or scaly?

Does your dog have a thin, dull, dry coat?

Is his hair coming out in tufts, with a crust or scab at the base of each tuft? Is it coming out in circular spots of various sizes? Do the hairs appear to be broken?

Is your dog losing hair equally on both sides of his body?

Call your veterinarian TODAY

      It could be a hormonal problem such as Cushing’s disease, a condition caused by the overproduction of the hormone cortisol. Medication and sometimes surgery are available to treat Cushing’s disease, also known as Cushing's syndrome.  Sertoli cell tumor, or an ovarian imbalance.

      Is he a young dog with patchy hair loss on his face and or front legs?

It could be demodectic mange.  It's caused by mites called 'Demodex Canis', which live in the hair follicles. Infestation of the mites causes skin inflammation and hair loss.  It may give your dog a dilute color mutation, such as the blue fawn typically found in Dobermans and Great Danes? it could be a genetic mutation that will require a lifetime of management.

Call your veterinarian TODAY

YOUR VET MAY NEED TO:

• Submit skin scrapings or a biopsy to a laboratory for definitive diagnosis.

• Get a fungal or bacterial diagnosis.

• Perform blood-work to check for hormonal conditions.

Tips to keep DOG Healthy:

#Keep your dog hydrated all the time

#Offer your dog small amounts of fruits and vegetables like carrot rounds, a slice of apple, banana, as snacks. Dogs are omnivores, as they evolved to eat both vegetables/fruits and meat, so may enjoy such a nutritious and low-fat snack. Grains, such as cooked rice, can also be added to his ration in small amounts, as a special treat.

#Take your Dog outdoors for play and exercise.