Pet Dogs Information

Hair loss (Alopecia) in dogs is a common veterinarian condition. It is sometimes considered a normal process of shedding. But if you start noticing tufts of pet-hair on your rug or see a continuous thinning of your pet's coat, the condition should be given proper attention to. A dog may suffer from hair loss for various reasons. In majority of the cases, various fatal diseases and infections are the underlying causes behind hair loss. Hair loss in the body may be of various types, like, sometimes, it might be symmetrical in nature, meaning, hair loss occurs on both sides of the body and sometimes it be asymmetrical in nature and occurs in patches. Normally, when the pet suffers from some kind of hormonal disorder, it suffers from symmetrical hair loss, on the other hand if the pet is suffering from some kind of skin infection, he may suffer from patchy hair loss.

Causes of Hair Loss in Dogs

It is very important on the part of the dog-owners to have an idea as to what exactly is causing the unhealthy loss of hair in dogs. Some of the major reasons responsible for the same are narrated below :

• Callus' or persistent pressure (mostly in giant dogs) may be a cause.
• Cushing's Disease' or high level of corticosteroids may be a cause.
• Demodectic Mange' or infection caused by the Demodex mite may be a cause.
• Diabetes Mellitus' or diabetes in dogs may be a cause.
• Folliculitis' or infection in the hair follicles may be a cause.
• Sarcoptic Mange' or infection caused by the Sarcoptes mite may be a cause.
• Tail Gland Hyperplasia' or enlargement of the sebaceous gland of the tail may be a cause
• The dog may be allergic to various substance like metals, chemicals, mites, pollens or certain food. This allergic reaction may cause hair loss.
• There are certain growth hormones which lead to hair loss. This is witnessed during puberty and mostly in puppies.
• Presence of excessive estrogen in the body or 'Hyperestrogenism' may be a cause.
• Feeling of excessive stress (observed during pregnancy and nursing) may be a cause.
• Fungal infections like ringworm may be a major cause.
• If there is insufficient hormone production by pituitary gland (Pituitary Dwarfisim), it may give birth to hair loss.
• Low estrogen level or 'Hypoestrogenism' may give rise to hair loss.
• Low thyroid hormone production or 'Hypothyroidism' may also lead to hair loss.

What to Do in case of hair loss in dogs :

If we notice any abnormal loss of hair in the pet, it should be immediately diagnosed properly by a good veterinarian. If the dog gets proper medication and treatment, he will get back to his normal self with a healthy coat in a short period of time.

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