Hair Loss in Older Dogs

Hair loss is a common part of aging in dogs.

As your dog grows older, you will notice changes in his appearance. The lenses of his eyes could turn a bluish gray color. His muscles will shrink and he could lose weight. Hair loss is not uncommon in an older dog, but it could also be the symptom of a health problem.

Dog Hair Loss

Your dog's hair grows in a continuous cycle. A hair follicle grows a hair, enters a rest period and then sheds the hair. Soon after, the follicle begins to grow a new hair. Your dog's coat renews itself through this cycle. According to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, when something interrupts this cycle, the follicle fails to grow a new hair after the old one is shed. This leads to hair loss on your dog's body.

Causes

Hair loss in an older dog can be a natural part of the aging process. An older dog's coat will become thinner and drier. The hairs could turn gray or lighter in color. According to the "Complete Healthy Dog Handbook," older dogs are more likely to develop diseases that will trigger hair loss, including testicular cancer and Cushing's disease.

Symptoms

If your dog is losing hair because as part of growing older, then the hair of its coat will gradually become lighter and thinner, according to the "ASPCA Complete Dog Care Manual." If your dog has testicular cancer, then it will lose hair all over its body and its skin will become darker. Cushing's disease causes hair loss everywhere except the head and legs and your dog will develop a pot-bellied appearance.

Treatment

There is no treatment for hair loss in a dog that is triggered by aging. Testicular cancer can be most effectively treated by neutering your dog. Once that has been done, its hair should grow back. Cushing's disease can be treated with oral medication that your dog will need for the rest of its life. Your dog's hair will grow back a couple of months after treatment has begun.

Considerations

It is important to continue grooming your dog as it grows older. Because an older dog's hair is often thin and dry, talk to your veterinarian about shampoos you can use that will not dry out its hair or its skin. Any hair loss on a dog of any age that is so severe that it results in bald spots is reason to take your dog to the veterinarian, as it can be a sign of disease or parasitic infection.

References

• "ASPCA Complete Dog Care Manual"; Bruce Fogle; 1993.
• University of Tennessee: Dog Hair Loss
• "The Complete Healthy Dog Handbook"; Betsy Brevitz; 2009.