22/05/2024
Alopecia in dogs may simply be a frustrating cosmetic problem that might inflict misfortune on performance dogs or dogs purchased to meet a preferred breed standard.
Hair thinning or excess shedding in your dog may also be simply seasonal in nature and part of the natural gain and loss of the coat, or, as with humans, indicative of advancement in age.
Hair loss in your dog warrants a veterinary visit. At the appointment, your dog’s hair loss will be evaluated according to distinct characteristics, including the dog’s age, overall health status including any pre-existing conditions, location of the loss, degree of loss (whether substantial or sparse), and whether the onset is progressive or sudden.
One characteristic of alopecia in dogs is the pattern of hair loss, whether the loss appears to be focal (occurring on one particular site on the body), multi-focal (occurring on more than one site on the body), or diffuse, meaning the fur is receding in an overall, diffused or symmetrical shed.
Dogs presenting with focal or multi-focal alopecia are typically fighting an infection such as bacterial folliculitis, which can be successfully treated with antibiotics.
However, in other cases, hair loss may be secondary to a larger disease or disorder, such as parasites, a fungus, hormonal or endocrine imbalance, immune or genetic disorder, medication or vaccine side effect, nutritional deficiency, among other causes.
No matter the reason, if you notice an uptick in shedding, recession of fur on large areas of the body, or patches/small areas of hair loss on your dog, a call to the veterinarian is recommended.
Hair loss may be accompanied by itchy and inflamed skin, and such symptoms require care.
