As a pet parent, it is your responsibility to ensure your furry friend lives a happy and healthy life. Although hair shedding is very common and also seasonal sometimes. It can happen in all breeds at any age. However, if you observe a bald spot on your dog, it might be a reason to worry.
Alopecia or hair loss is quite common in dogs and can happen at any age. But if you notice bald spots or patches on your dog, there can be many causes. Hair loss can be a symptom of many mild to severe health issues. So you should not ignore this and take your pet to a veterinary doctor to see the underlying cause of this can get it treated.
However, if you are worried about the health of your pet and wanna know the possible cause and treatment, so keep on reading!
Hair loss in dogs
Most dogs shed hair on a regular basis, and it is quite normal to see their hair strands on the carpet. However, severe hair loss can lead to alopecia. If timely treatment is not given, then it can cause partial or total hair loss in dogs.
There can be various factors that can cause alopecia in dogs, and it does not only affects the skin and hairs of your dog. It can potentially cause damage to the immune system, endocrine glands, and lymphatic system as well. So you should not ignore any signs and symptoms of alopecia. These symptoms can include:
- Itchiness
- Bald patches
- Hair thinning
- Rashes or scaling of the skin.
- Foul odor.
- Dry and flaky skin.
- Redness and inflammation in the area of hair loss.
- In severe cases, bleeding can also happen in the area of hair loss.
- Hair loss around eyes and mouth area.
However, alopecia is a general term used to describe hair loss in dogs, and there can be many underlying causes of this. It can affect any breed of dog at any age. So, if you see these signs and symptoms in your pet, take them to the veterinary and get them tested.
Skin Infections
Skin infections can be a major cause of bald patches on dogs, and there are so many bacterias and mites that can cause this. Moreover, experts believe that dogs, especially pets that have weak immune systems and are more susceptible to mange, are a wide word used to describe a range of dog-specific skin disorders. Other genetic variables may also contribute to an increased susceptibility to many types of illnesses.
However, there are various types and causes of Mange, such as:
Sarcoptic Mange
The Sarcoptes scabies mite causes sarcoptic mange, often known as canine scabies. This skin infection is extremely communicable to both animals and people. Because these mites dig deeply into the skin, they create severe irritation and itching; as a result, your dog’s constant scratching will result in hair loss or bald patches until you take them to a Vet.
Dogs are generally exposed to this virus in places where dogs come in contact with other dogs, such as dog parks, animal shelters, kennels, groomers, and even vet clinics. Moreover, you might not know to see the symptoms until 3-6 weeks, and by that time, the condition has been worse.
How can you treat Sarcoptic Mange?
Your veterinarian will prescribe scabicidal dips, shampoos, and/or oral medicine depending on the type and severity of sarcoptic mange your dog has. To get a satisfactory outcome, it is critical to carefully follow your veterinarian’s recommendations and finish all treatments timely.
However, you should isolate your dog while he is being treated for the infection to prevent additional cross-contamination and transfer of the infection to other pets and family members. Try to make your furry friend as comfortable as you can while he is being treated for this infection. Moreover, while treating, you might also have to use a dog muzzle as your dog can get irritated.
Fed them the diet suggested by the doctor; at this time, your dog might want to be alone. So, make sure to give them their space and do not try to invade their space. Give them supplements that will boost their immune system, as at this stage, only this can work.
Allergies
Allergies are a common cause of hair loss and bald patches in dogs. However, dogs, like humans, can develop allergies to foods, and environmental factors such as pollen, parasites such as fleas or mites, and many other allergens can cause this reaction.
Most dog allergies, however, are caused by flea bites. Flea allergies cause stinging and redness, as well as hair loss from licking and biting sensitive regions. For a very susceptible dog, a single flea bite might trigger an allergic reaction that lasts for days.
Allergies can affect any dog, but some are more susceptible than others. Treatment for your dog’s allergies may involve topical or oral medicine, allergy injections, dietary changes, and avoidance of the allergen.
Although any breed can be affected by allergies. However, here are a few breeds that are much more prone to allergic reactions:
- Boxer
- Brussels Griffon
- The Bull Terrier
- The Cocker Spaniel
- German Shepherd Dog
- The Golden Retriever
- Maltese Labrador Retriever
But keep in mind that any breed at any age can have certain reactions to certain allergens. However, the symptom of allergies can be:
- Sneezing
- Eyes that are irritated
- discharge from the eyes
- Nasal congestion
- Itchiness
- Excessive Scratching
- Biting excessively
- Hair thinning
- Bald patches
Infestation (Ringworm, Mites, Bacteria)
Ringworm, Mites, and various bacteria can lead to infections that may ultimately cause bald spots on your dog.
Some of the symptoms of parasite infestation are thinning of hair, bald patches, and hair loss around the mouth and eyes. It can cause inflammation, severe irritation, and itching.
However, symptoms of ringworm infestation can be irregular hair loss, leading to bald patches, inflammation, and infected crusts.
Although small ringworm lesions may clear up on their own, it is contagious and highly communicable and should be treated right away. However, Ringworm can be treated with topical antifungal medications. In severe cases of hair loss and infection, oral antifungal medications may be necessary. Thus, treating mites may require topical or oral medications and antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections.
Hypothyroidism
Another reason for bald patches can be Hypothyroidism. Which occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroxine, a hormone that regulates metabolism. The outcome has an impact on your dog’s coat and may result in hair loss, hair thinning, or bald patches.
However, It can affect all breeds, although golden retrievers, Doberman pinschers, Irish setters, dachshunds, boxers, and cocker spaniels are the most commonly affected as they have a thick, fluffy coats. It most commonly affects middle-aged dogs of average to big breeds. Surprisingly, Neutered males and spayed females are also at a higher risk of getting affected by this.
The Bottom Line
It might be difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for your dog’s hair loss or bald patches, but there are a few typical causes and symptoms to keep an eye out for. If your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms, or you’re unclear about what’s causing its hair loss, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.
However, your veterinarian will most likely undertake a physical exam and collect blood samples to determine what is causing your dog’s hair loss, hair thinning, or bald patches. This way, you’ll know how to best care for your pet and avoid bald spots. Get their treatment started and bring back the health and beautiful fur of your furry friend!
