Hair loss in pets can be a confusing scenario since some disease conditions can be associated with this symptom. The technical term for abnormal loss of hair is alopecia, and location, severity and links to other symptoms all can help establish whether or not there is cause for concern.
One of the first determinations your veterinarian will make is whether or not the alopecia is symmetrically located on the body and if there is itching present. Symmetrical alopecia on both sides of the body can be linked to hormonal diseases of the thyroid or adrenals. Intact animals, or those who have not been spayed or neutered, also can develop areas of alopecia associated with sex hormone fluctuations. Your veterinarian may run blood tests as a first step in establishing if a hormonal imbalance is the cause. This may require additional tests because of the interconnected nature of the system that regulates hormonal balance called the endocrine system.
Treatment of the alopecia centers on an accurate diagnosis and successful treatment, but it may take months for the hair to regrow. Some symmetrical cases of alopecia may not be hormonal and associated with certain breeds of dogs. Boxers and bulldogs can have seasonal alopecia and Pomeranians are linked with an unusual form of hair loss.
If there is itching present and the hair loss is asymmetrical, then the next course of action will be to if it is an infectious source of alopecia or if allergies may be the cause. Infectious causes can be skin mites, fungal, yeast, or bacterial infections but the challenge is determining whether the infections are primary or secondary. Some skin conditions can be complicated by secondary infections that must be treated concurrently.
Skin mites frequently can be found by examining a skin scraping under the microscope. Some of these skin mites can be contagious to people, so it’s important to rule out these parasites. Fungal infections, such as ringworm, also can be spread to people, and a culture is needed to establish if it is present. The most common skin infection that leads to hair loss is bacterial and is almost always a secondary problem. Generally, there will be crusts or scabs present in and around the areas of hair loss. Treatment is with antibiotics for as long as necessary to clear the infection.
Once your veterinarian has eliminated what can be an extensive list of causes of alopecia associated with itching and treated any secondary infections, you are set on what can be an equally challenging course of diagnosis and treatment of allergic dermatitis. So, if your pet is experiencing unusual hair loss with or without itching, have your veterinarian evaluate him early before too many complicating factors set in making diagnosis and treatment difficult.
Questions for Dr. Gary Thompson can be emailed to askthevet@theblade.com or mailed to The Blade, Attn. Ask the Vet, 541 N. Superior St. Toledo, OH., 43660. Dr. Thompson regrets that he cannot answer individual letters
First Published September 14, 2019, 1:30 p.m.
