Canine alopecia is a condition in which there is excessive hair loss in dogs. This condition is quite complicated as it can be triggered by various causes. Hair loss can be partial and localized (restricted to one or two places on the body) or complete and generalized.
A dog’s hair protects the skin. It also keeps the dog warm in the winter and prevents extremely hot air from reaching the skin in hot summer weather.
So it’s obvious that canine alopecia can make a dog vulnerable to the elements.
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Possible Causes of Hair Loss in Dogs
skin problems Hair loss in dogs In many cases, dog hair loss is caused by various skin problems, the most common of which are:
All of the above skin problems make the dog itchy, and incessant scratching, chewing and licking can in turn lead to hair loss.
Alopecia caused by these skin problems is usually localized, limited to the parts of the body affected by the skin problem.
Breed-specific skin problems There are also some more breed-specific skin problems that can cause hair loss, for example:
- Nasal Solar Dermatitis – Commonly known as “collie nose,” this hair loss problem affects dogs with lightly pigmented noses. Dogs with this problem suffer from hair loss at the junction of the nose and muzzle.
- Color mutant alopecia – Also known as “blue doberman syndrome,” this is an inherited skin disease that occurs in fawn and blue-coated Doberman Pinschers, though some other breeds (for example, blue Great Danes , Chow Chow, Whippets, etc.) I have this problem too. Dogs with color mutant alopecia suffer from hair loss all over the body with pustules appearing in the areas of hair loss.
- Zinc Sensitive Dermatosis: Caused by a zinc deficiency, this problem results in hair loss on the face, nose, eblows, and hocks. Breeds that are susceptible to this problem are arctic or northern breeds such as Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes.
- Sebaceous adenitis – This is an inherited skin problem that affects standard poodles quite frequently, although other breeds (eg, Samoyeds, Akitas) can also develop sebaceous adenitis. Dogs with this disease will have symmetrical hair loss on the muzzle, top of the head, ears and upper neck, trunk, and tail.
Malnutrition The new hairs require a large amount of nutrients and protein to grow and replace the old dead ones. A lack of these nutrients can result in brittle, weak hair, as well as poor hair growth. Poor nutrition can be caused by poor, low-quality food, malabsorption of nutrients, or internal parasites such as worms. Alopecia caused by malnutrition tends to be generalized and affects the entire body of the dog.
hormonal problems Dog hair loss can also be caused by hormonal problems, such as:
- hypothyroidism
- Diabetes
- Cushing’s disease
- Other hormonal diseases, such as imbalances in the circulating amounts of sex hormones.
Alopecia caused by hormonal imbalances also tends to become general, affecting the entire body of the dog. This type of alopecia usually occurs in middle-aged to older dogs.
Emotional problems Some pets can experience hair loss when under stress or anxiety. In general, a dog that is stressed, anxious, or hyperactivity scratches and licks excessively, sometimes to the point of self-mutilation.
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Signs that your dog is losing hair
In addition to all the dog hair you’re blowing around your house, you’ll also notice that your dog’s undercoat is thinning, often to the point where you can see the fur.
For localized hair loss in dogs, you will see bald patches on your dog’s skin. Some cases of hair loss are accompanied by a change in skin pigmentation.
If your dog suddenly begins to lose hair, also take note of any other signs and symptoms of illness that he may have. This can greatly help your vet in the diagnosis.
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folk remedies
The most important thing to remember is that hair loss in dogs is an indication that the dog is likely suffering from some health problem. Therefore, it is essential to take your dog to the vet for a checkup to identify the underlying cause so that appropriate treatment can be given.
Meanwhile, natural remedies and supplements can be used to improve hair and skin conditions in dogs.
Supplements like fatty acids Omega 3 and the vitamins (especially A, C and E) are beneficial for the skin and hair. Adding these supplements to your dog’s diet can help prevent some skin problems that can lead to hair loss.
Herbs can be used to cleanse the blood and detoxify the body. Very often, skin problems such as hair loss and skin irritations are the result of a buildup of toxins in the blood. Use herbs to detoxify the body regularly and skin problems will disappear.
Herbs that are effective for detoxifying and cleansing include burdock, licorice, red clover, and sarsaparilla.
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