What Are the Causes of Hair Loss in Dogs?
When dogs lose their hair, the evidence stares you in the face every day as you look at your couch, your floor or his dog bed. Shedding is a natural part of having a dog, but sometimes a dog's hair loss is more than just shedding.
Hair loss in dogs can be caused by many different conditions. Some can be considered normal, while others may indicate a serious problem. Almost all of the causes of hair loss in dogs can be treated and most can be cured.
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Atopy (Allergic Inhalant Dermatitis)
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Atopy, or allergic inhalant dermatitis, is one of the most common causes of hair loss in dogs. Just like people, dogs can be sensitive to pollens, pollutants and other airborne irritants; instead of developing an upper respiratory response, dogs itch. Repeated constant exposure to the inhaled irritant keeps the dog's immune system in turmoil. As the dog responds to the itching by chewing, licking and rubbing, the skin below becomes inflammed and irritated, and the hair begins to fall out. Inhalant irritants affect dogs systemically, so hair loss and skin irritation is not localized, though most of the time its limited to the areas that the dog can reach.
A two-fold approach to treatment is best. Symptoms can be controlled by several medications and topical creams that can be prescribed by a veterinarian, but the underlying condition (the allergic reaction) will need to be addressed by reducing the amount of irritant the dog is exposed to.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
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Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the dog comes into repeated physical contact with a substance in which he is allergic to. Signs of this type of dermatitis include extreme itchiness; hair loss in the areas where the contact is occurring; red, irritated skin, though usually no open lesions or sores; dry flaky skin; small bumps. The skin irritation and associated hair loss is best treated by the judicious use of antihistamines and/or steroids to control the itching that is associated with the over-response of the immune system, as well as antiseptic cleansing of the skin to prevent a secondary bacterial infection from forming. The offending substances should be removed from the dog's environment in order to stop the chronic irritation. Your veterinarian will be able to prescribe a treatment protocol that will make your dog feel better in no time.
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Flea Allergy Dermatitis
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This condition is actually a variation of allergic dermatitis. Flea allergy dermatitis is an allergic dermatitis caused by the bites of fleas and is most commonly seen in the summer in dogs that are not regularly treated for fleas. Flea allergy dermatitis is easily controlled with the use of a combination of antihistamines, steroids and flea control, which can be prescribed by your veterinarian.
Acral Lick Dermatitis
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This condition is caused by the dog himself. Dogs will lick specific parts of their bodies, usually their feet, over and over again. Most of the time this condition will be caused by boredom or stress. The areas of hair loss will be very well defined with the skin underneath usually appearing bright red, almost like sunburn. The skin will sometimes be raised and tough, like a callus and there is usually a bacterial or yeast smell as a secondary infection is common. Treatment for this condition includes cleansing the skin with an antiseptic wash, using an antibacterial or antifungal topical ointment on the affected areas, restricting the dog from being able to lick the area, and alleviating the cause by exercising the dog more or providing him with additional training to curb the behavior.
Pyoderma
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This bacterial skin infection can be caused by many different factors and is usually a secondary condition to another skin problem. This condition is usually treated by applying an antibacterial ointment to the affected areas, or by the administration of oral antibiotics.
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