Canine Hair Loss Explained
Hair loss in dogs refers to any type of health issue where a dog is missing more hair than would be normally expected. The first step in identifying the reason is to determine if the bald spots are because of a primary issue, such as a hormone problem, or a secondary condition like scratching. Dog hair condition can point to the nature of the issue. If the remaining dog or puppy hair is broken, then any pruritis is the immediate cause, with some type of primary condition as the direct or actual cause. When the hair is not damaged, first Problems such as hormonal problems should be assessed. The most diagnosed primary problem is some type of Parasite such as fleas, followed by contact allergy, Atopy or food allergic reaction.
Asymmetrical Canine Alopecia
The symmetry of the bald hair areas can point to he cause. Non-symmetrical hair loss, where the bald spots appear to be randomly placed or patchy, are caused by an infection at the base of the hair follicles or from a parasite such as a mite. A common indication is itching or scratching. Skin inflammation and pus filled pustules or skin crusts. An often-overlooked condition is Sebaceous Adenitis, which can be an immune system disorder that brings about the destruction of the canine sebaceous glands. The consequences are symptoms such as scaly skin, dandruff and itch. Breeds such as Poodles, Vizslas and Akitas are susceptible to this disorder. Diagnosis requires the examination of a skin scraping.
Symmetrical Dog Alopecia
Symmetrical baldness is due to body hair cycles. Hormonal disparities are indicated when this takes place because of Hypothyroidism or Hyperadrenocorticism. The one exception is sex hormones that do not appear to result in alopecia. These conditions result in skin problems like welts and inflammation at the hair follicle base. Secondary conditions can take hold such as bacterial skin infections, blood chemistry problems and urinalysis results. Cushings syndrome is frequently diagnosed, even though it is hard to distinguish Cushings from other disorders. Other Hypothyroidism symptoms include lethargic behavior, breeding problems and weight gain. In puppies the problem reveals itself as baldness, pus-filled blemishes and flaking skin.
Follicular Dysplasia
Bald skin patches could be the result of a genetic condition like follicular dysplasia. It is a consequence of a defect of the hair base or shaft. This problem inhibits ordinary canine hair growth. To reach a diagnosis, a veterinarian will conduct many of the tests discussed above and will review the medical history of the dog and parents.
Cathy Doggins is the writer of many articles on topics such as hair loss in dogs. When not editing aritcles on canine health for for the http://www.dog-health-guide.org, Cathy can be found caring for her Terriers and cats. She's frequently asked to speak on dog health problems and never misses an opportunity to contribute or volunteer at a local pet shelter.
