Losing hair can emotionally deride anybody, whether humans or dogs. It will eventually turn messy and cumbersome. Finding clumps of hair strewn around the house, can turn anybody irate.
Just like in humans, hair loss is a common phenomenon in dogs too. Excessive hair loss can be a reason for worrying. Hair loss in dogs is known as alopecia. This is a common phenomenon in dogs causing partial or complete hair loss. This condition affects the endocrine system, its lymphatic system and immune system.
Hair loss in dogs are not methodical. They may appear as bald portions or patterned loss. The common cause of hair loss is due to mites called Demodex. This leaves bald circles, inflammations and burns around the area. The usual causes of hair loss are often due to trauma, infections or endocrine system abnormalities. If the hair loss is extensive it may be signaling towards a severe disease.
If you find more patches of hair missing in specific areas, it may be due to inflammation of follicles.
- Diagnosing whether the hair loss is severe or normal is not difficult. The pattern and severity of alopecia is essential to know the exact reason and treatment.
- Monitor the ways in which hair loss is taking place. Whether it’s a patch, partial or complete hair loss.
- Patchy hair loss: - Mange is the most common cause for this type of hair loss. infection caused due to Demodex, causes patches of hair to shed from your dog’s skin. Bacterial or ringworm infections also trigger to this type of losing of hair. This in turn makes the skin inflamed and reddish.
- Symmetrical or patterned hair loss: - This may have a no of reasons related to it. If your dog’s body is producing excessive steroids, if levels of thyroid or decreased level of secretion of female hormone or when testosterone (in males) have fallen low. Increased level of estrogen can also lead to such kind of hair loss.
- Persistent or excessive hair loss: - this is caused due to infections due to bacterial and ringworms. This type of hair loss leads to reddening of skin and mild scaling. Another common cause includes scleroderma, a skin condition that develops from scar tissue. If you have recently vaccinated your dog, even that may trigger to hair loss in your dog.
If the problem persists for longer period, it may signal some major illness. Consulting your veterinarian will help throw light on the actual problem.
