Dogs hair falling out or alopecia

 Everything You Needs To Know About Dogs Hair Falling Out ( Alopecia ) 

Dogs hair falling out

Dogs hair falling out or alopecia is described as an unusual hair loss in a dog but these bald areas are often symptoms of a serious health problem. There are many causes of alopecia some are easily corrected and some are caused  chronic complications. By understanding the various reasons why a dog may develop alopecia, a dog owner will be better prepared to help manage hair treatment in a timely manner.

What is dogs hair falling out or alopecia ?

Alopecia is another name for hair falling out and there are many types of alopecia that can affect dogs. These types are classified by location or cause of hair loss.

Itching and inflammation of the skin can also be accompanied by dogs hair falling out . Depending on the cause of alopecia, there may be circular areas, focusing on hair loss, thinning hair loss, or similar hair loss on each side of the body.

Causes of dogs hair falling out 

Alopecia can occur for many reasons, but the causes are usually classified into two categories: congenital malformations or adoptions. Some causes of alopecia have certain names while others are considered hair loss for a basic reason. Some other types of alopecia include:

Alopecia Areata:  Areas that focus on hair loss are old with this type of alopecia. This is a rare, autoimmune disease. It is usually occurs on the neck and head .

Follicular Dysplasia: This type of alopecia affects certain types and causes poor hair follicles that are often described as moth-eaten by appearance. Color dilution alopecia and follicular lipidosis are specific types of follicular dysplasia and are due to genetic cause.

Post-Injection Alopecia: After certain types of injection, some dogs develop alopecia at the injection site. Post-injection alopecia is reported to occur after a rabies vaccination or steroid injection and is due to inflammation of the injections that can cause on the skin.

Post-Clipping Alopecia: Sometimes when shaving a dog's hair does not go back to the cut. The cause of this type of alopecia is unknown.

Patterns: This hair loss has an unknown cause but is seen in other breeds of dogs, such as Dachshunds. It also often causes an increase in hyperpigmentation in areas under the skin.

Traction Alopecia: Sometimes dog owners use barrettes or hair ties to make their dog's hair. If these hair follicles are hard on the hair follicles it can cause alopecia.

Pinnal Alopecia: Separated from the ears, pinnal alopecia causes hair loss in the ears because the hair is getting thinner in this area.

Dogs hair falling out or alopecia

 Dogs hair falling out or Alopecia can also be caused by insects such as worms or genes, allergies or food allergies, bacterial or fungal infections, hormonal problems such as low thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) or high cortisol (Cushing's disease), other tissues, medications, as well as seasonal fluctuations.

How to diagnose dog hair falling out 

If hair loss is noticed in the dog, your veterinarian will try to find the cause. Skin scans of parasites, body scans, blood tests, and skin tests or biopsies may be recommended to determine the cause of alopecia. Some types of alopecia do not have specific tests but are usually diagnosed after other causes have been ruled out.

Diagnostic protocol - 

A. History of the alopecic dog . It should cover 

• Duration of alopecia

• Intensity of hair fall out

• New hair appearance

• Itching as a feature 

• Pattern of alopecia

• Discrete or diffuse 

• Medicinal treatment done

• Medicinal treatment's failed

B. Trichogram : Examination of individual hair. Even hair digestion test can be made. 

C. Skin scrapping : To detect mite ( Demondex sp and Sarcoptes sp  etc ) 

D. Bacterial culture : To isolate the bacteria and to make in vitro antibiotics sensitivity test. 

E. Fungal culture : To isolate and diagnose the fungus. 

F. Blood test : D.C. for eosinophilia. 

G. T.S.H. Level : To detect hypothyroidism. 

H. Cortisone level : To detect hyperadrenocorticism . 

I. Antinuclear antibody ( ANA) : To detect S.L.E/ D.L.E.

J. Skin biopsy : To detect nature of cellular changes . 

Treatment of dogs hair falling out

Treatment for dogs hair falling out will vary depending on the underlying cause of the hair loss. In some cases, anti-parasitics, antibiotics, anti-fungal, or other medications may be needed to treat hair loss by correcting the underlying cause. Sometimes there is no cure for alopecia due to immune or genetic causes.

Treatment protocol - 

1. Rule out ectoparasitic burden.

2. Rule out endeparasitic burden.

3. Rule out bacterial pathogen. 

4. Rule out mycotic pathogen.

5. Supplements of thyroxin for hypothyroidism. 

6. Fatty acids supplements for deficiency.

7. Skin specific vitamin and mineral            

    supplementation.

8. Corticosteroid therapy for auto immune disease. 

9. Shampoo for cleansing, pruritus and infections ( bacterial, fungal, tick, mite, flea etc. ) . 

How to Prevent dogs hair falling out

Some types of dogs hair falling out are preventable while others are out of the control of the dog owner. Using insect repellent and making sure that any hair accessories that are not worn tight are the best ways to prevent these types of alopecia that can be avoided. Some types of alopecia caused by genetic or autoimmune causes are not protected but can be reduced for future generations by selective breeding.

Is dogs hair falling out contagious?

Hair itself is not contagious but other causes of alopecia are possible. If parasites, bacterial or fungal infections are the cause of alopecia, these can be transmitted to other pets and to humans.

Risk Factors of dogs hair falling out 

Certain breeds of dogs tend to develop alopecia as well as dogs that are not on parasites control. The most popular types of different types of alopecia include:

Pomeranian with alopecia

Some forms of alopecia can affect most of the dog's body.

Alaskan Malamute (post-clipping alopecia)

American Water Spaniels (pattern baldness)

Bichon Frises (post-injection alopecia)

Boston Terriers (pinnal alopecia and pattern baldness)

Boxers (bald model)

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers (follicular dysplasia)

Chihuahuas ( pattern baldness, follicular dysplasia and pinnal alopecia )

Chow Chows (post-clipping alopecia and follicular dysplasia)

Follored Wrapped Disease (follicular dysplasia)

Dachshunds (pinnal alopecia, follicular dysplasia, and pattern baldness)

Labrador Retrievers (post-clipping alopecia)

Doberman Pinschers (follicular dysplasia)

German shepherds (post-clipping alopecia)

German Shorthaired Indications (follicular dysplasia)

Indications for German Wirehaired (follicular dysplasia)

Poodles (follicular dysplasia)

Rottweilers (follicular dysplasia)

Shih-Tzus (post-injection alopecia)

Large Danes (follicular dysplasia)

Greyhounds (bald pattern)

Irish Setter (follicular dysplasia)

Irish Water Spaniels (follicular dysplasia)

Italian Greyhounds (  follicular alopecia, pattern baldness and pinnal alopecia )

Keeshonds (post-clipping alopecia)

Labrador retrieval

Conclusion

Dogs hair falling out is a common and serious problem, I would recommend every dog owners not to neglect this problem. If you see your dogs hair falling out immediately take your dog to a veterinarian and he/ she will take the appropriate measures .