L’alopecia in the dog indicates an abnormal shedding of the animal’s hair and can affect all breeds and sexes at any stage of life.
Considered one of the most common skin disorders among pets, alopecia involves total or partial hair loss.
The types of canine alopecia
There are two different types of alopecia:
- patchy alopecia;
- diffuse alopecia.
Patchy alopecia
It manifests itself with the hair loss in distinct areas of the animal’s body. It is usually caused by:
- bacterial infections (such as pyoderma);
- fungal (including ringworm and dermatophytosis);
- parasitic diseases (such as red mange) affecting the hair follicle.
Diffuse alopecia
It manifests itself with the hair loss all over the body and is caused by congenital pathologies of the hair follicle or by metabolic and hormonal dysfunctions.
In some breeds of hairless dogs such as the Chinese Crested Dog or the Mexican Crested Dog it is a normal phenomenon.
Dogs and alopecia: is there anything to worry about?
by itself, alopecia in dogs is not a particularly serious problem. For some dogs it’s a natural part of the aging process and there’s not much we can do about it.
However, canine baldness is usually a sign of underlying health issues, so any shedding in younger dogs should be checked out by a vet.
But don’t worry, most of these conditions are treatable. In the meantime, focus on maintaining the health of your dog’s skin and coat with regular grooming sessions.
The causes of alopecia in dogs
Alopecia in dogs could be caused by a internal or external problem.
In the first case, something could be affecting the growth of the animal’s hair follicles; if instead the cause is external, the alopecia is probably caused by an infestation of parasites which can lead to infections that cause hair loss.
The external cause
Alopecia is not a disease, but a symptom. Let’s find out the causes of this disorder that afflicts not only us humans, but also our faithful four-legged friends!
Parasites
Of all the nasty little creatures that can live on our pets, Demodex mites are among the most prevalent dog parasites.
It’s very likely that your dog is carrying a few, but too many can cause mange, which is an inflammatory skin disease. Symptoms include:
- itch;
- excessive scratching;
- red skin;
- hair loss.
If the infection remains concentrated in one area, it usually clears up on its own (this happens in about 90% of mange cases).
However, if it spreads to other parts of the body, take your dog to a vet. it is likely that he will need a course of medication to fix the problem.
Allergic reactions
Just like their owners, pets can develop allergic reactions to just about anything. These cause itching, excessive scratching and, in some cases, even hair loss.
The antihistamines they are a short-term solution, but if you don’t want your dog to be on medication forever you need to find the source of the problem.
You can try to identify the culprit through trial and error, removing some items from your home until your dog gets better. But since anything could cause the backlash, it’s likely to be a very long process.
Instead, take Fido to a vet, who will perform a series of test designed to identify the most common allergies.
Diet
As with many medical issues, diet can play an important role. The high number of dyes and preservatives in dog food has been linked to the growing number of allergies and nutrient deficiencies, which can cause alopecia in dogs.
Focus on a high quality organic diet with lots of fresh foods and nutrients.
Health problems that cause baldness in dogs
If it doesn’t appear to be external factors causing the alopecia in your dog, then it could be a symptom of something else.
Below you will find some of the most common causes of canine alopecia.
Endocrine disorders
Hyperthyroidism and Cushing’s disease are caused by hormonal imbalances and both can cause hair loss. Again, alopecia will be a symptom rather than a cause, so it’s worth getting your dog checked out by a local vet.
Luckily, endocrine disorders can be treated and managed with medication, but an early diagnosis will definitely make things easier for you and your dog!
Genetics
Unfortunately, alopecia in dogs could be genetically caused. Because some men are more prone to losing their hair early, so are some dog breeds.
Dachshunds are particularly susceptible to baldness and, at present, there is no cure for baldness in dogs or humans.
Focus on managing the condition instead – moisturizers and ointments will keep your dog’s skin from becoming too dry, and be sure to limit his exposure to direct sunlight.
Stress alopecia in dogs
Dogs are quite sensitive creatures. Stress or anxiety could cause the hair to fall out. Dogs get stressed for many different reasons. It could be a change in their environment, a lack of exercise or stimulation, or a reaction to a traumatic incident.
Luckily it’s easy enough to spot. Aside from any potential shedding, you will definitely notice a change in your pet’s behavior, such as:
Focus on finding the root cause. Once it’s handled properly, your faithful companion will soon revert to his old self. Even his coat will grow back!
Pregnancy
Females lose hair around their stomachs as they approach the final weeks of pregnancy. This makes feeding the puppies easier and there’s nothing to worry about: the fur will grow back in its own time.
Fungal or bacterial infections
Some fungal and bacterial infections can lead to alopecia. There bacterial folliculitis it is the most common cause of hair loss in dogs. Creates distinct circular bald patches surrounded by redness and scabs.
It is treatable, but your pet will need to see a vet. It’s also important for your health: some fungal and bacterial infections are zoonotichewhich means they are transmissible to humans.
How do you treat alopecia in dogs?
We have seen that the therapy for alopecia varies according to the diagnosis. Summing up:
- The fungal, bacterial or parasitic causes they involve a therapy based on specific drugs (respectively antifungals, antibacterials and antiparasitics).
- Alopecia caused by hormonal dysfunction requires therapy consistent with the disease.
- For the congenital formshowever, there is no treatment.
Natural remedies for alopecia in dogs
Taking care of your 4-legged friend’s fur is also important to prevent unsightly hair loss. When the dog loses too much hair and you want to try natural remedies, start with adequate washing and brushing, especially for dogs that live in urban and polluted environments. The ideal would be to give the dog at least one monthly bathwith products designed for him and for every type of hair.
To these products, you can add a few drops of natural healing substances, such as:
If you choose to treat your dog with natural remedies, it is advisable to seek the advice of a veterinarian, preferably an expert in naturopathy and homeopathy. Home remedies or do-it-yourself could aggravate the condition.
At least once a week, during brushing, you can cleanse Fido’s coat with a little apple cider vinegar diluted in water and then wipe with a damp cloth to increase the shine of the hair and remove residual hair.
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Article reviewed by:
Francesco Reina
Veterinary assistant