“Why is my dog losing hair?” Veterinarians field this follicular question all the time. And it’s understandable. When your furry friend starts to appear somewhat less than furry, for no apparent reason, it can be worrisome to say the very least.
And yet, “hair loss is something we see relatively commonly in canine patients,” says Dr. Lugo, VMD, with Doylestown Veterinary Hospital.
As you might imagine, the usual suspects behind these bare and balding spots are numerous.
- Allergies: Itching is a primary symptom of canine allergies, which can be caused by diet, environment, or fleas, among other triggers. According to Dr. Lugo, dogs and even cats can itch to the point that they start losing their fur. “Itching and biting at the skin can cause a lot of hair loss,” she says. “We commonly see that around the feet. Dogs that chew or lick their feet often lose hair around those areas. If flea allergies are present, they may also lose hair around the rump area if they’re chewing because of irritation.”
- Endocrine disorders: Conditions like Cushing’s Disease or thyroid disease can result in canine hair loss, particularly on the tail or trunk, Dr. Lugo notes.
- Genetics: Certain types of alopecia, occurring in certain breeds, can also cause hair loss. “Pomeranians are more prone to a disorder called Alopecia X, where they’ll lose hair on their whole body,” Dr. Lugo explains. “Boxers and some other breeds are prone to what’s called seasonal flank alopecia, which means that they lose hair on the sides of their body. This typically happens seasonally, where they might grow their hair back before losing it again.”
- Hot Spots: Hot spots, or an isolated area of superficial skin infection, may also be to blame. According to Dr. Lugo, these spots frequently form because of an allergic reaction or contact with something that irritates the skin (such as wet fur that does not dry properly). These localized areas of infection not only affect the fur but can also be incredibly uncomfortable for dogs.
- Parasites: Other than fleas, various parasites can cause hair loss in dogs. “There are two different types of mange that can cause hair loss and itching,” Dr. Lugo says. “A skin scrape – which is where we take a little bit of a layer of skin – can help us look for the presence of any mites under the microscope.”
Because the laundry list of possible culprits is so long, pet owners should seek immediate veterinary advice if they notice anything unusual.
“If an owner notices that their dog is experiencing hair loss, it’s so important that we do some further investigation into what might be causing it,” Dr. Lugo says. “Especially because things like endocrine disorders can be very serious. Allergies can be incredibly uncomfortable for a dog that is chewing at their skin to the point they are losing hair. And then, sometimes, it can be something simple. We can do things to help manage itch and allergies. We can help to treat that hot spot.”
Often, if diagnostics pinpoint an endocrine disorder, proper treatment can help not only to manage the disease, but also the hair loss as well.
“I’ve had patients with Cushing’s disease who were nearly hairless by the time we diagnosed them,” Dr. Lugo says. “And once they’d been on medication for a while, they began to get their coat back. It may not be to its full glory, but it will often be a lot healthier, and they’ll have more coverage.”
Of course, hair loss itself can lead to other maladies, as well.
“When dogs experience a large degree of hair loss, we worry about them during the summer months, when they’re out in the sun. Sunburn isn’t something the average pet owner normally thinks about a lot with pets, but it is something that happens. If our pets’ coats are sparse, it can expose them to sunburn or sun damage in the summer, as well as harsh temperatures in the winter. So, it’s always important to get them looked at, so we can diagnose and then manage the hair loss they are experiencing.”
H2: Diagnosing Your Dog’s Hair Loss
According to Dr. Lugo, diagnosing hair loss in dogs largely depends on what your vet suspects might be causing it to begin with.
The Science Behind the Skin Scrape
“One of the things I do for pets, particularly if they are having hind end hair loss or if they are younger dogs, is I would flea comb them, or skin scrape them, to check for external parasites,” says Dr. Lugo.
Demodectic mange is a skin condition affecting both dogs and cats. It is caused by Demodex mites, cigar-shaped parasites that typically reside in the hair follicles of healthy dogs.
“They live a little bit deeper under the skin’s surface,” Dr. Lugo says. “They only become a problem in animals who don’t have a great immune system, which is why it’s something we most frequently see in puppies.”
Scabies, on the other hand, can be seen at any age. Also known as sarcoptic mange, it is caused by the small, round Sarcoptes scabiei mite that lives closer to the surface of the skin. They are primarily carried and transmitted by other animals and wildlife.
“Scabies is a little more disturbing because it can impact people, too,” Dr.Lugo says.
Because scabies can occasionally be challenging to diagnose via skin scrape alone, diagnosis can often be based on suspicion and response to treatment.
“I’ve seen patients who have had interactions with a fox, and they come in super itchy a couple of days later. And upon asking more questions, we discovered the fox looked like it had patches of missing hair. That’s one of the main ways scabies spreads, from animal to animal.”
Seeking a Dietary Diagnosis
If your veterinarian suspects food allergies may be to blame, a food trial can help to narrow things down.
“We can get a lot of information simply by trying patients on different food,” Dr. Lugo says. “We often try to stick to hypoallergenic foods to see if a food allergy component exists.”
Leveraging Lab Work
Additional testing may include bloodwork, which can help professionals check thyroid levels and other potential flags. While standard bloodwork will not diagnose Cushing’s disease, it may identify precursors that would point towards the condition, prompting further testing.
Bloodwork and skin scraping can help to rule out the most obvious causes of hair loss, says Dr. Lugo.
“But diagnosing conditions like flank alopecia or alopecia X is more about breed and excluding everything else,” she notes. “We’re often looking to rule out all of the other things that may cause hair loss.”
Biopsies – a small skin sample taken from a sedated patient – may occasionally be needed to gather more information about what’s going on with your pet and why they’re losing hair.
Here’s to Better Hair Days
Sudden hair loss in our pets can be alarming, for sure, but Dr. Lugo strongly advises against attempting treatment at home, aside from routine flea and tick protection.
Over-the-counter medications and salves can simply lead to more trouble.
“Frequently, supplements and other products purchased online to try to prevent hair loss are not a good idea,” she says. “If you don’t know what the underlying cause is, you’re probably not doing much to help it.”
As always, she says, call your vet when you notice something amiss with your pets. They’ve got you—and your dog—covered.
